"Chickens"

chickens need help
it's ok to say
they get mixed up
about the time of day

just because
you didn't know
doesn't mean
it isn't so

early morning
late at night
we hear them from
the left and right

roosters need help
strutting about
hens as well
you can tell

what a chicken needs
as it nibbles its seeds
is the ticktock
of an alarm clock

"Moon"

moon moon moon
your light on all
does shine so fine
you are so kind
you rest the mind
was this not true
when you were new
or just a phase
you were going
through

"Cows Know"

cows know
the only thing
we ever really have
is this moment
we are held in them
all our lives
and miss most
of them
focusing on
something else
planning is useful
dreaming is imperative
searching a must
for the moment
of now
when a cow
is in a field
of green grass
eating
what do you think
it is thinking of

"Just Be"

there is a weed growing
out of a piece of wood
in the cabin woodpile
when a northeaster
blows through
this weed
all alone
in the cold
spends its time bobbing
in the wind
perhaps
its only reason
for being is for me
to see
it reminds me it is
ok
to just be

"Secrets"

Oh, that we might find our way through life
as simply and quietly as the morning sunlight
threads its way making the day.
We must be happy unlike the light
not knowing why we are here,
where we are going
or where we will end up.
Knowing how to live with this
is one of lifes secrets.
We are the ships with no rudders
searching, waiting for chance to find
a place for us in our dreams.
Somewhere over the rainbow
and down the yellow brick road
the darkness is waiting
for the light to find another secret
to help us find our way
to yet another day.

"To Notice"

no one ever told me
there was
no time
to notice
that deer eat red petunias
in January
that the full moon can shine
through a kitchen window
at the same time the sun
is rising
that it will be 81 degrees
at noon and snowing at midnight
that contentment could be had at home
that happiness can come with less
that blessings should be counted often
that living is in the moment
that anger and worry are damaging
that solitude is a good medication
that deer know more than we do
that life would give us a place in time
to notice

"Unexpected Guest"

on the floor
by the cabin door
Gypsy's water dish
fulfilling her wish
a visitor on the edge
for her a high ledge
sat a ladybug beetle
no rhymn nor reason
to be here this season
a guest unexpected
we left neglected
looking like
a chocolate truffle duffle
colored red and black
with a head and four feet
she was very neat
we watched her
as she did shuffle
without a scuffle
in from the cold
she is so bold
getting a drink
do you think