DOMINION©

HARMONY

comes a time when what has been

must be set aside

chords, melodies, rhythms that played well once

seem vacant

back to the beginning

each note its own universe

one by one, listening beyond ears

weeks, months maddening for anyone who overhears

until the one finally that resonates

soon a companion is found

then others

and all that was abandoned is replaced

a new universe not so different

all the sounds that happen every day

have parts to play

in a key of their own choosing

centered on that one note

now offering itself

COMMON GROUND

PREVIOUS LIVES

have not the energy to wave goodbye

sort of miss them

sort of don't

even the dust is an illusion

what's left is what can't leave

so here we are

it's no time to argue, and yet

our future is debated by such ghosts

it's a spooky world

reduced to things, their declared values, the profit in trade

and a political football

the field is much larger

it might be too late, but

why not relax and appreciate what's been here all along

and when ghosts ask for more suggestions

ignore them

RULE OF LAW

it was a day of unpleasant surprises

worth mentioning, however

is the dominion of here

right now

there is no other time

your day went like mine?

as to the particulars, well . . .

living is like this everywhere

isn't it?

maybe you paint landscapes or dig ditches

I do the maintenance

for now anyhow, I write

this is my spatula and shovel

there are other surprises

it's worth mentioning that somehow we are impelled

to meet here

in the dominion

MOUNTAINS AGAIN

Tabitha at the foot of the bed

is a Sphinx

the Expressway is deserted

quiet at last

there are no mysteries

we sit without speaking

that's all it is

being here

no memories

just sitting

PURITY

washing dishes

washing clothes

washing hands

so fundamental

towering spires are not made of mud

from which the lotus blossom grows

spires and grand designs come to mind

only to become

dust once again

ROUND ABOUT

mute shadows in the live oak tree

crickets and chickens

nightfall

waiting

black forms in a clarity of stars

pebbles blend to nowhere

not one bird singing

back home again

here is absolutely nothing

its mysterious call has no voice

the same one that knew a time

now forgotten

you who read this

you are that voice