I still get shivers 

of joy when the fireworks tents 

appear in my town 

Awake sleeper for

today is yours to shape any 

way you so desire 

The carnival has 

arrived to lure you away 

from the everyday 

Work your problems down 

to a sharp point like a dog 

grinding at a bone 

Hubbub abounds this

morning in a summer rush

of friends a flutter 

Dozing in the dawn

half-light you stir amid a

chorus of chirping 

The rain reminded 

me to take a deep breath and

relax a second 

Painted toenails and 

pink champagne on a beach made

up her summer plans 

Those old hands had held

a thousand others, worked hard

and felt caresses

Gaffes, goofs, sputterings 

and guffaws spill out from this

mouth when it's open 

Dread not the coming 

day for your dreams have seeded 

it to bloom fully

Dress the part and 

the rest will fall into place,

just a mask on stage 

Make up a song for

yourself that sounds like a wild

and ancient saga 

Once city sounds were 

my wakeup call but today

it's shrill twittering 

Pattering rain on 

the trees' leaves softly calls us

to dance with nature 

Head held high but your

soul underfoot like gooey 

gum on the sidewalk

False prophets pursue 

profits to line the pockets 

of politicians 

We wild beasts ruled 

the streets until lured back to 

civilization 

Gadgets and tools and 

toys and spells and potions and

lotions won't save us

The unbearably 

sweet scent of jasmine recalls

a lost night long ago 

Draw the bow back and

let your misguided arrow 

fly, you fools of love 

Branding, a burn, a 

form of self-mutilation 

the world now expects

I wanted a drink,

a smoke, and recklessness but

not an early grave

As he grew older 

the small quirks became glaring

traits that ousted all 

Choking smoke from a 

distant fire reminds us we

are all connected  

Just smile and pretend 

was the advice we grew up with

but masks sometimes slip 

Cross words (not crossed

swords or a duel to the death) 

that can be undone

Tell me a secret 

that I can bury in my

heart, horde like treasure 

Your smile mistaken 

for a look of disdain, your

quips for sharp rebuke

Lazy summer daze

already here as you can 

hear (my dog snoring)