The Talking Tree

The locust seemed to gather crows,

As if lured by an avian herder;

Welcoming others to form a flock,

It was a blatant, attempted murder.

Some screamed to be heard for miles,

While others clucked under their breath.

A few preened each wing feather,

Then cancelled the Battle of Death.

They called truce with trespassing eagles,

Ignored starlings in a neighboring tree…

Was it all bluff or just crow bravado

Before deciding to leave us be?

Maverick

My first dog was a Border Collie,

I was nine when he followed me home.

My best friend for almost a decade

Till I grew up, leaving Maverick alone.

The guilt I felt became karma,

I became a maverick in every home.

A few times cherished by others,

Always to find myself left alone.

Goodnight Lou Reed

Farewell to Lou Reed and the others,

Their muse once heroin and morphine…

Strongly fighting their life of demons;

Bravely pursuing a more prurient dream.

Cowards like me, injected their words,

We bathed in their warmth of despair…

For one moment to feel like Candy,

Drugged and too numb to care.

Goodnight from this kid from white suburbs,

Grateful you allowed me to hitch a ride…

Safe in my room, looking life in the face,

I took a walk on the wild side.