Sunday night in Inman Square

Sunday night in Inman Square

Neighborhood of bars

Chairs on tables

Closing time

Back to work tomorrow

Lonely cigarettes

Empty bottles

Resume the dream on Friday

Listen to the footsteps

Sleepily away

                    previously published in All Seasons 

Cambridge, MA

What city on a hill

through storm and wars stood still

nor budged from that what's right

or bow'd to dark'ning night

but kept the lanterns lit, and rang

the bell of freedom, indeed, sang

the cause of women, children, men

from everywhere, forever, when

the nations trembled, sore, in vain,

while blood proceeded, poured as rain

upon the town, did leave its stain.

Did She look down, around to blame

or back in weeping, forth in fear?

Nay, she looked up, shed but one tear

rememb'ring yonder Concord bridge;

She's known the world round, Cambridge.

                    previously published in All Seasons

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                                                    Turning Inward

Queen of the South

O Queen of the South,

sweet lover of Solomon,

Lady of Sheba,

your Sun is full bright

often I think

that Glorious King

still lives, and calls me

from Africa

and who am I,

but a frightened deer?

though I have waged

fierce battle before,

now I lay silent, 

staring at Heaven;

take me back, you

Black Mother of Adam

                previously published in All Seasons

Turning Inward

Turning inward

 after The Fall

Looking inside

 to hide

 from it all

The windows are closed

 against the wintry frost

The shades are drawn;

 sun breaks in, yet still

 daylight is lost

Cinematic discs of plastic

 entertain us, jaded to magic

We who prefer to talking heads

 or terrors to talk of, tossing in bed---

 manly muscle, bosoms, bustle;

 a joke more priceless than

        Her Majesty's diadem,

 we incubate in breasts of hubris

 the spirit of our times and nation