Lucky Duck

Paddle

dabble

dive below

fly above

sunny and

rainy play

solitary

or social

no awareness

of disaster

would I trade

for a duck's life?

Walking Hadrian's Wall

Come follow me

along this sinuous trail

across dramatic hillscape

unfettered views

to unclaimed Barbaria

beyond Britannia

watch with me

upon the emperor's wall

for invading spirits

join me and listen

to Roman voices

in these heaped-up stones

grousing about

history's wild guesses

of frontier life-in-exile.

Classification of Pain

Toothache pain

trapped

in pounding surf

hip pain

stabbed

with many knives

childbirth pain

caught

in a whirlwind

migraine pain

encased

in Medusa's head

grieving pain

alienated

from Eden.

Siren Songs of Hope

Down the hill

convergent values

round the bend

common resources

in the valley

shared sacrifice

under the bridge

attenuated suffering

flowing river

absence of fear

toward the ocean

enduring love

into blue sky

universal empathy

back into clouds

without prejudice

poised as rain

post-political epoch

gentle drizzle

with forgiveness

morning dew

peace on earth

talismanic rainbow

good will among all.