PLENITUDE©

shadow leaves

breathing on a wall

or is it the mind?

as well ask the meaning of air

which brings on a fit of sneezing

pen discombobulated

perhaps a dangerous idea

then a chuckle

at the foot of the bed

toes wriggle delightedly

tyranny has lost its hold

big black bugs of the night

are in their hangers

dishes in the sink

rattle almost imperceptibly

JOHN CLOUD

great warriors and cash register receipts

promise random riches

all part of the system

of a chessboard now overturned

pieces bobbing, apples in a barrel

Chopper Five hanging overhead

tracks the San Andreas fault

suddenly zooms in on

Bear Creek Road

an incredibly aged American Indian

is doing a sand painting

where did he get those brilliant colors?

in a lonely moment

few watch

none really care

but after all

perhaps it's the last best hope

he proceeds as though no one is there

a crow lands in the apple tree overhead

Caw!

contributes a round white blotch

perfectly centered

a single onlooker cheers

the mandala is perfect

will it appear on the evening news?

ROOT CELLAR STOMP

Tabitha washes her paws

it will be chilly tonight

perhaps not too many dreams

on this sand bar in Santa Clara

in the south bay

the evening news was not a gentle breeze

another polar blast in July

the thread of meaning snaps

there is an impertinent flutter

an imagined cellar door opens

roots stored in there are restive

it is impious

in keeping with their lowly place

they should not be singing

John Cloud, of recent celebration, is there

scattering sand from an incense burner

the gates of Hell

a little further down

are slowly closing

and Hieronymus Bosch is laughing

carrots on parade!

Carrot 1:

“Pardon me, Sir!”

“Is this the Chattanooga Station?”

Carrot 2:

“Get out!”

“Didn't you watch 2001, the Odyssey?”

Carrot 3:

“Star Trek, Star Trek!”