River Bend

A bend where the river runs swift and deep through the curve

Pointing there, fools will dare you to dive in, if you have the nerve

But beware the whirlpool beneath the skin; it can catch your feet

And even a powerful free-style stroke won’t set you free

It will pull you down and tumble you in the cold and deep

You’ll have to fight the river gods for your soul to keep

That vortex below the surface has pulled many a swimmer down

Their bodies disappeared and some were never found

There is a sign marked ‘Danger’ and crosses for those who died

With flowers around, planted by the ones who wailed and cried

It’s a scene of peace and beauty visited by tragedy and death

Be wise: don’t take the dare… follow your own counsel, save your breath  

New Hope

He carried life’s bruises on a battered heart

He’d given up on every new and different start

He walked alone and claimed it was by choice

Fallibility showed only in the catch in his voice

She was slinging hash at the truck stop café

Necessity demanded when her man ran away

She needed proximate work to raise her small kids

No room for hopes and dreams in all of this

He sat close to the door, his back to the wall

Another transient at a brief port of call

He barely looked up when the waitress drew near

Her request for his order spoken soft but clear

When he raised his eyes, he got lost in hers

Both caught their breath, flooded with nerves

Uncertainty made for a slow, rocky start

But each held the key to the other’s aching heart

They had both given up on finding love again

Both had built walls to protect themselves from pain

But they saw vulnerability in the other’s mien

New hope flared and sang the past a soft requiem