Red, White, and Blue Blues

No more grace notes
to soften greedy motives

the steadfast gone
their house in ruins

shining, on-the-hill city
flattened landscape of id

every golden promise
in overstuffed dustbins

off its lofty pedestal
now...our country 'tis.

Watercolor Meadow

Unmowed this season
upon late June return

dotted orange and yellow
in pointillistic style

among myriad of greens
grasses, leaves, and needles

exquisite hawkweed display
arrested at a distant rock

artistry by butterflies
dripping pigments in their wake.