Bird Chatter

Difficult to decipher
the red tail’s shrill whistling

surveyor of terrain

from higher advantage

its piercing persistence
nixing woodland peace

twittering, cawing, squawking
also in this morning’s mix

what do all divine
about invasive danger

its size, raging temper
or silent encroachment.

Family Ghosts

Swirling in my head
both alive and dead
unsettled, unsettling

some friendly or less so
intruding with questions
forgotten trespasses

exorcising blame
accumulated guilt
between generations

irremediable now
acceptance only
at this game-over stage

letting it go
letting them go.

Household Dust

Reconnoiterer of time
by my bedside clock

lit with blood-red numerals
consuming eager minutes

thinly coated in vagrant dust
whence does it come

local pollen, insect pieces
Hawaiian volcanic bits
Russian-spun drought debris
twice-circling Sahara’s sand
Indian cremation ash
in west-to-eastward transit

all manner of planetary stuff
mixed with cosmic offerings

reconnoiterer of time and space
by my bedside clock.

Entitlement

Subtle, sharp
exercised
with indifference

without gratitude
recognition
just expectation

egoism
narcissism
old-fashioned rudeness

mirror, mirror on the wall
we’re the most anointed of them all.