WHAT TIME?



WAITING


The naked house stands

near dead, waiting;

waiting for life

or nothing.

Curtains hang limp in open

broken windows,

boards hang

for the wind.

Barren the scene, the world:

all is gone.

Even the trees are leafless

and sigh.

The heat sears it all.

A gentle breeze lifts

the curtains and bends

dry grasses, rustling:

"Coming, coming," whispering.

Rain drops down

as life returns in joy.

--------==--------

EMPTY SPACES



Moonlight streams in windows

of missing glass.

One foot crunches small bones

in empty rooms with dirt,

joy and laughter

are all gone

and clouds

obscure the light.

What time

will boards fall?

Whither, whither,

when?

Birds have flown

music away,

butterflies

have died.



This life

is all gone.

I can not cry.

---------===---------

HOW CAN I CALMLY


Betrayal!

Elephants scream

and stomp.

Sliding

out of mind,

out of sight.

Holding tight to pieces

that crumble in ash.

Bobbing in the sea –

alien, aimless and calm.

Colors cascade:

brilliant, blindingly.

Boards fall at midnight

but some say:

DAWN will come.



How can I write

in a time like this?

Patience, patience,

Plan.

Duane L. Herrmann in Kansas.