The Baffled King

The baffled King
He came to me.
Might have been
in a dream
or in a park.
Either way
it was after dark.

He trembled
As He stroked His beard.
told me all
the things He feared.

Then He stood
and He just stared.
He stared and stared
stared and stared.

The wind it slowed
to a stop.
When it did
to His knees He dropped
and sobbed and sobbed
sobbed and sobbed.

I fell beside Him
wiped His tears.
Repeated back
all His fears.
Told Him that
despite His years
the child still laughed
within Him.

The King lifted His head
and then His hand.
I grabbed it tight
to help Him stand.
He broke a smile
then a hearty laugh.

Apologized
for being meek.
Leaned into me
and kissed my cheek.
Laid His hand
upon my shoulder.
The kindly King
looked much bolder.
He turned back,
from where He came
and I fell to slumber
once again.

Here in the Cold

Putting out my hand

waiting

waiting for you to grab hold.

Maybe I’m just a fool

standing

standing here in the cold.

Ambient city lights

block out the dark night.

Looking upward, my eyes

catch a raindrop

that spills into a tear

and streaks down my cheek

and tumbles to the sidewalk

where I see my well worn shoes

that have paced these streets

looking for you

and a chance,

a fleeting chance

to grab hold of your hand

and pull you close

and gaze into your eyes

and read past your past

and suddenly kiss

your kissable lips.

Pulling you close

to escape the cold winds

that blow off the river

and down the cobblestone streets

and swirl around us.

The taxi cabs

and their squealing brakes

echo against

the tightly packed brownstones

that sit upon the hill.

I open my eyes again

and again I am alone.

Putting out my hand

waiting

waiting for you to grab hold.

Maybe I’m just a fool

standing

standing here in the cold.

Stubborn Stars

Stubborn stars,

please shine tonight.

I've wishes to make

and I need your light.

Fickle twinkling stars

I look for you above this haze.

I miss your guidance;

your beaming ways.

I know that others

wish upon you too

but tonight no one needs

you quite the way I do.

I wait all night

for the clouds to clear.

My heart races faster

because I know dawn is near.

Stubborn stars.

Sweet stubborn stars.

When

will you glow for me again?