A Black Dog Named Red

from my little corner of the wide wide world 

actually not mine, I’m just inhabiting it for a bit

I just want to sit quietly and peacefully 

watching smoke curling and floating 

in the crisp cool morning air

from the red incense stick I got 40 of for $2

egyptian jasmine is the soup of the day

drifting without a care in the world like I used to

disappearing out the open louvred window 

candle flame steady as she goes

red candle a glow maintain course

tea steaming red cup composition

sky brightening crack of light 

black dog named Red 

laying on the floor

Crooked Horse

I came into town riding a crooked horse

dusty vagabond from another place of course  

pitch black sunglasses my name

hide my contempt for the now

clouds of uncertainty follow me

just passin’ through

a fugitive from the Kremlin

with red tears in my eyes

longing for the old glory days

but wise enough to know they ain’t comin’ back

at least for this old comrade

so I rest when I can and stare at the sun

a handout here, a handout there

movin’ on with the moon

standing out in the rain soaking dry sword in hand

you can’t go home when you ain’t got no home to go to

time to mount up and ride until I’m dead

re-enacting the glorious battles of my youth in my head

Lost Mine

I’m out here all the time

you’re behind an iron curtain

there’s one thing for certain

you could never be mine

you caught my eye one day

like a shiny nugget of gold

but I could never mine that claim I’m told

a lost mine down arizona way

I could wish and try with all my might

stand on my head and shout

but you wouldn’t pay attention there’s no doubt

I’d just be wasting my time this fine night

some things just aren’t meant to be

some elements just don’t mix together

I’m out standing now in some rough weather

but I’ll survive, this too shall pass I’ll see

I lost mine even though I never had it to start with