I Walk Through Damp Woods And…

my heart stops as
wings beat
like a loud roar
and a blur of brown
as the grouse darts in
and out of birch
and spruce.

My gun swings up.
I shoot and
miss.
Air and trunk are all I kill.
Eight shots. No prize
to show. I guess
it will be beans
for chow once more.

(I've been reading Dumas' "Three Musketeers." And in the story, Aramis writes a poem using only one syllable words. I thought it would make for a fun exercise. And this is the result.)

Picking Blueberries

August in Alaska—
a cool breeze, blue sky.
A few clouds intermittently hide
the sun.

Sitting in the damp, spongy moss
on the side of a hill near Esther Dome,
I pluck three blueberries—
one to save for a blueberry pie,
the other two to eat.

Savoring the succulent tartness,
I stand to leave.
My butt is purple.

Lethargy

Sticky, dank air
sucks energy
from muscles,
leaving body
limp,
tired,
wishing only
for a blast
of cold.

Sonnet 10

(FYI--This is the last of the sonnet series. Hope you've enjoyed it.)

My hope and joy, my passion and desire,
is found in only one and that is you.
And you ignite within my soul a fire
that burns intensely when I am near you.
And all I want to do is worship you,
and be with you for all eternity.
You make me whole, your presence makes me new,
like nature when the spring time sets it free
from bondage of the winter’s iron hand,
who seeks to kill the life of all that’s good.
He hates both you and I and what you’ve planned,
and would destroy us only if he could.
But you’ve freed me and I belong to you.
Words can’t explain how I’m in love with you.

Sonnet 9

I am alone and death is drawing nigh,
abandoned by the world and left for dead.
The earthly light is fading from my eyes,
“But even still I’m with you,” you once said.
And in my darkest hour you’re still there,
to comfort me and calm my strongest fears
with hope of promised life for us to share,
and nevermore shall be, from sorrow, tears
I long for your return. You guaranteed
to take me home where I can be with you,
and see you clothed in all your majesty,
and all of earth and heaven be made new.
So help me Lord to fight until the end,
and not forget the reason I you send.

Sonnet 8

I do not understand the things you do.
The reasons for you deeds from me are hid.
You do not think to ask if I approve;
and I’m left wond’ring what you did and why.
I look around and see injustice reign,
and wish that you would do what’s right and good.
But who am I to question why the pain
runs rampant through this world. What I should
do instead is to give you your glory,
for by your love and for your glory you
have saved the world and I’ve no need to worry.
Because you promised that you’d make things new,
forgive me for my anger and my doubt.
From now on I’ll love you in and out.

Sonnet 7

As vast and deep as all the oceans are,
or better still the wond’rous heavens above,
a non finiteness filled with countless stars,
still greater yet is all your mighty love,
bestowed upon this vile sinner here,
who turned his back on all you did for him,
ignored your pleas and left you standing here.
He broke your heart by following after him;
he thought that he could make it on his own,
and so denied your love and help for him.
But now he’s out here and he’s all alone,
and all your tears are filling to the brim.
But through it all you never left my side.
With love you called me right back to your side.