Slipping Away 

Slipping away
hour by hour 
minute by minute
the second-hand twirling 
out of control 

Confined by this body 
constricted by disease
the pain of movement
the agony of living
not ready to let go 

Do not let go 
holding on to today 
wishing for tomorrow
lamenting yesterday 
slipping away slipping away 

Where is my lifeline 
shouldn’t there be a lifeline 
something to grasp to hold 
to climb to the surface 
keep from sinking into the pain  

Drowning in misery
struggling to breathe 
keep myself from descending 
into blackest depths of despair 
send me a lifeline – please 

Nature’s Show

Frogs are singing 
deep bass croaking calling 
calling where’s my mate 

Lady frogs harmonize
higher alto answering 
I am here I am here 

Seagulls squeal above
soprano voices hailing
warning all who walk below 

Crows squawk in tenor timbre’s 
fighting words to all their foes
battling for bits of shiny treasure 

Spiders weave a web of sorrow
for their unsuspecting prey
food or love, it waits in silent ambush

Swaying in her lonely garden swing 
moving slightly to and fro
watching nature’s magnificent show

Alone in the Dark

Alone in the dark
of night 
Fear has wrapped
itself around me
through me

Heart thuds against 
my chest
Slower and slower 
squeezing precious 
air from my lungs   

Terror waits patiently to 
for its turn 
to sink sharp vicious 
talons into my stomach
rending, tearing, devouring

Breath halts
lungs rebel starved 
body reacts and sits upright
Eyes open to see  nothingness
alone in the dark again

~~~

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