the moon
in darkness
above
I look up
below
gulls sing out
in between
and morning
a lifetime
away
other writing
here on land
the seagulls
keep calling
calling
here on land
for the sea
what is in my heart
flowers
as a gift
only hint at
what is in
my heart
from a line by Li Po
old friends
on the shore
fading smiles
in the mist
you wave
moving off
all lost
in shadows
footprints
footprints
over rock
through dale
crossing mountains
wading streams
the rough the easy roads
the worn the untraveled paths
leading
to where you stand
today
on love
how long
can you hold
the wind
in your hands
on reading history
history
filled with war
raids on seacoasts
the siege of cities
thousands killed
enslaved
for the glory
of power hungry leaders
yesterday
today
tomorrow
human nature
they say
national security
they say
to ensure peace
they say
so easy
to say
to say
night to morning, Maltepe
there are horns
tires screeching
a shout or two
dogs barking
a rooster crows
somewhere
toward morning
then light
fills the sky
listening to Tom Waits at three in the morning
that voice
in the darkness
calling out
calling out
to anyone listening
a shot of whiskey
the piano melting
and you
in a red dress
dancing
dancing
just for me
from a line by Li Ch’ing-chao: nothing can ever make it fade or disappear
there
on my heart
indelibly etched
an image
you
and nothing
can ever make it fade
or disappear
Leonard Durso 