For Nancy On Her Birthday

Firecracker of creativity
packing power in a little package,
what ferocious adventure you
bring us!

Pull strings and be pulled. The
puppet-master awaits your blessings
of color and passion before He puts
his final stamp on you.

Then, dance freely with your co-creation
as life unfolds all around, all at once.

Being Responsible

When I am being responsible for everything that happens in my life,
there is nothing to defend.

The Collector

I add my smoke
to the fog.

A hundred poems come to me at once
still none touch the truth.

Yes, I am the collector.
I collect pipes and rings

memories, poetry, pastimes
and things

I collect them all for You
Along the way.

You can follow me,
if you like,

by the sweet scent of Cavendish
hanging in the damp fog;

a bit of smoke still lingering
to draw you into your next poem.