June Kaplan

hibiscus sweet sugary dark bark
no worry tender twig upon the heart
dug deep into mineral floor the flora
decades steep in soil root mute curl coil
in a land as loyal enders of the east
receive the royal pear and Goldberg bagel feast
all the spoils are anointed
by the romantic Atlantic
castaway long summer sway trees warm wind skim shore
pack trunk dump junk
leave the bible in the drawer
fold clothes from the dryer
hot as if they were on fire
by the Sound and telephone wire
we are all famous in the Hamptons
liable to listen to Lionel train his quartet
in a most blue moody moon-set
dance to the stereo
strangers well meant amusement
soon the snow and ice will trickle the pipes sacrifice
summer ’19 will be just a memory
augment autumn upon us author autonomy
search the birch for parchment
as we did in Larchmont
leave every leaf in place
beguiled thoughts to file
rile denial look my way your smile christen day
wild child please don’t turn away
fate is late thank God for time
that has us pray for yours and mine.

for Barbara

through eave a star lit night
bathe shimmer bright
moon dust fill a most
awesome handsome site
devil may care to
witness day somber gray bird in flight
worm in her mouth
dangling
call of babies wanting mama to feed them
warm in their twiggy nest an appetite for
grub and pest
the one you love the best
in the cycle of survival
my pet
the angel and regret
a summer set morn
blackbirds in a field of corn
your face is worn
like an autumn song
catch a cold that
linger long
i love you right or wrong
in my heart never gone.

healing to the feeling
of your guidance
a moondance wept in dappled morning dew
moonbeams bright send love and light
In dreams you kiss my silent prayers unbroken
with not a word spoken
a promise is a flower in sweet bud to blossom
tears no more with laughter never fails you
the sun sleeps late cover white sky
it is one of those days
the sun too tired to rise
ancient pain is just a thing of the past
in pouring rain the earth is overcast
yet simply said as ever do you know
I love you so
because you are
my guiding star
of gentle mellow glow.

felt the flight of angels
rite beside the night
fill dark corners earthy crust undo lust a trust hang like banged up stars crush fairy dust- arise with the tide look deep into eyes that sleep that seek mistletoe you know troubles blow winds still, bare branch scatter twig to the soiled ground rewind the dirt that curse the moss that ran amuck in mud and toss the senses to serve their sire fire tresses resins pressures steamy summer here and gone a summer heat to lessen lessons best harbinger beckons beacons mirror beveled edges
simplest similar records speak in haste regardless of race
your broken vow so stern somehow
notice posted BYE for now.