Four AM

Awake
as a flame
hoping
to burn out.

Sleet and cold.

The cat wonders
what the fuck
is up.

The BBC
reports  that
the world
remains
a mess.

What is
worth knowing
at 4 AM?

You are lonely
in darkness.

It will be
a long, long day.

You burn
and burn,
but are not
consumed.

     mce

Integrity

Sixty-One years
of searing thirst
and yet I
have refused
to drink
the Kool-Aid.

Hooray for me!

   mce

Prayer Upon Hearing Of A Friend's Cancer

I looked
into your eyes,
death,
when I
was only 20

and I am
not afraid
for myself;

only spare
my friends
and family,
just a while,

if only
you will.

   mce

Dragonfly Dance

and how they did:

nine choppers
in perfect formation,

gracefully deadly dancers
in a choreographed ballet
of death.

yet even as you
puked and prayed,

for that suspended moment
you briefly knew
a floating sensation
of mortal beauty,

a brilliant amalgram
of expiry,
elegance
and vitality

never felt since.

    mce

New Year Redux

Just the same ticket
newly punched.

    mce