The Price

He didn't want to go. 

Her face,

a ghost's shadow

in the windowpane

pouring grief

through the rain . . . 

Should he remain? 

One last look --

his eyes ached --

or did they burn? 

Was fidelity really

too much

to learn?

Undone

A disappointment I have been,

I feel it in my bones --

a gap within the shoulder joint

taunts "Failure!" while soul groans. 

So much undone both left and right,

so much to overcome,

one side of body forced to rest, 

one side straining toward the sun.  

Branch, Bowed

There's a time to join the rain

in tears . . .

     for words hastily spoken,

     silence unbroken . . .

     for unseen pleas in another's eyes,

     blinding deafness to mute cries . . .

     for failing to ask or understand,

     sadly missed moments to lend a hand . . .

     for letting trust give way to doubt,

     poor judgment driving friendship out.

There's a time to join the rain

in tears.