The appearing stars,
the clover, the hooved trail
through the meadow, cows
...
Born in Iowa, March 20,1950. Youngest of four children. Lived in Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Wyoming, Arizona, and presently living in Hawaii. Worked as a truck driver, bus driver, taxi driver, hotel manager, grave digger, janitor, landscaper, bill collector (only two months, fired because collections fell behind-couldn't stomach the work) , preacher, presently a Registered Nurse. Studied cast metal sculpting at the University of Iowa. Wrote some poetry in high school, quit, started again for a short time in my thirties, and have been writing seriously since 2000. I'm an ex junkie and alcoholic, got clean and sober in 1990. Was a Latter Day Saint as a kid, an existential atheist in high school, a psychedelic drug explorer in college, born again Christian in 1978, drawn to Native American spirituality in early 80's, practicing Zen Buddhist in 1984, presently a Baha'i until the next Manifestation comes, but I won't be around then.)
The Beginning
The appearing stars,
the clover, the hooved trail
through the meadow, cows
grazing, watching us pass,
munching their evening meal,
our talk sweet and true
though we won't remember
how significant the day was
or what we talked of, the sun,
like a good friend not ready
to go home, lingers at the door
unwilling to say goodbye.