Submissions by RichardJ

loneliness ~      
        
   Winds stalk me,        
   leaves tremble at my approach …        
   they are frightened        
   of the cold that follows.    
   
   In hushed, rustling whispers,        
   as I pass, they ask,        
  “Why is it you are not afraid?”        
       
   Un-answering, my feet march on,        
   trodding on their fallen brethren,        
   lovers, sisters, and friends ...        
   why bother with answers.        
   
   Would they understand?         ...

(English Sonnet)
      
Beneath greyed cloak tall evergreens reach high  
to drink from air,  their needles weighted full.  
Limbs supple, softer than an unborn sigh,  
subdued in mist, give way to Nature’s pull.  
             
At night, soft whispers you may nigh hear of …  
o' do not fear and turn to run from such;  
for, only ‘tis the kiss of winds above  
in chilling flight … upon life’s lips, its touch  
             
Yet, 'midst those mists and shadows lies a shrine  
of vine-made arbors … gravestones for...

Alone,  
          I sat beside the pond  
          this morning.  
 
          Early sun ...  
          vibrant in its warm flush  
          of golden welcome  
          came cascading down  
          from treetops' glow,  
          embracing grass,  
          gifting colors vividly alive,  
          lifting flowers' faces …  
          with their honey-pollened smiles.  
 
          I was amazed  
          at how the breeze knew  
          I missed you  
          or was even...