The poet waited for his praise
with long minutes ticking by
Thoughts of accolades and gold
teardrops in their eyes

There was only criticism
No rich and hearty praises
No one said that's great!
There's no back at you, or cute phrases

Saddened by the response
He was a such a wreck
He was totally disheartened
Put a rope around his neck

He jumped off from the ladder
hands behind his back
There were cheers from in the gallery
"He was just a hack!"

forget me not or
forget me quick
and forget it all
forget the reasons we had
and the misplaced path
whether or not it was
forget my face
and the grace we made
inside you
forget the crescendo
in our climax
always remember
it was surrender
forget the folly
in thinking
there is anything we keep
forget the impact
and ignore the echoes
until only ripples remain
and then
forget my name

Fields before me slumber,
dreaming of by-gone days.
They fade, then hide within
the gray of a fog rolling in.

Soft ground gives beneath
my boots as I carry along.
Earth and sky surround me
in a memory of yesterday.

I feel the dew drip from the trees,
like second-hand rain.
A fence wanders over lonely hills -
my weary old friend.

My pale thoughts scatter,
like seeds sown in early days
of a now forgotten spring.

A symphony
of prayer
touches my mind
in the peace
of whispered words
I soothe my heart

some are imprinted
without thought
as filigreed light
warms my soul,
they slip out
as adoration sung
from the heart

in these moments
of reverence
and love
where no pain
can burn
or malice survive

I come as close to heaven
as I can bear to be