beach play

people play
innocent
on the beach
all shapes sizes
ages colors
un-self-conscious
in their
joy and speedos

regret

ocean waves brought me
to this place and
tossed me
spit me to the
sand
regret pounds
resolve lost
at sea

following

shadows, born of
light and dark,
cast into the world,
skim the wall
stretching and following
as you
walk away

escape from Wisconsin

we left crushing winter behind
miles behind

desperation and American Airlines
took us to a tropical spot
and left us where
the waves roll in
erasing our past every
few
steps

on the beach

ocean wind slaps
the thatched roof

stars caught in trees
and clouds
telegraph
old messages

always

Vantage

What do you see
from that vantage point
looking down on all around you
spiraling on thermals and
coasting
motionless
over the fields and
rural Wisconsin roads
in search of
something.

Wasted Ideas

Thoughts spill from the pitcher
in your hands.
They slop over and land everywhere
drops of ideas pooling on
the floor
a guest's back
the table
where they will evaporate
into nothing.