Poems from Here, There, and Somewhere Beyond

A Pod of Orcas

Except for the height
of the upper deck
I could have reached out
and almost touched you

Weightless in water
gliding and dipping
black dorsal fins
weaving among the waves
white flashes flickering
on the silver surface
of Georgia Strait

A pod of orcas
like sudden joy
a twilight gift unbidden
in the setting sun

Psychic Shop

The ad offers
tarot cards
palm readings
past and futures told

and ruin cards

Come again?
Surely they mean rune
that mysterious lexicon
from ancient times

But wait!
Maybe this is no spelling error
immortalized in metal and vinyl
on this sidewalk board

Perhaps these wizards
do predict
financial impoverishment
psychological destruction
the wreck of lives
the ruination of dreams

Maybe the sign should read
Abandon hope
all ye who enter here

Poems from Portraits and Still Life

Psalm for the Modern Motorist

The Lord is my Director of Transportation
I shall not lose my way
He maketh me to find the less-travelled highways
He leadeth me along the scenic routes
He restoreth my sanity
He leadeth me to the proper exit ramp
For it is correctly named
Yea, though I drive through the valley of the interchange
In the shadow of the overpass
I fear no collision
For Thou art with me
Thy lane designations and directional arrows
They comfort me
Thou preparest a roadmap before me
In the presence of other motorists
Thou annointest my engine with oil
My tank runneth over
Surely good visibility and courteous drivers
Shall follow me
All the journeys of my life
And I shall park in the garage of the Lord
For ever