To Life

I have now lived nearly seven years alone

except for two covid years my youngest

son lived with me in that milk and honey

time of near solitude this home on this hill

provided.  A safe haven of fishing and hunting

seasons, trips to town buying what was needed,

no shopping.  I’ve had time to consider this 

choice of place that seemed provided by signs

and wonders, of time putting circumstances

in place, of me deciding. A cringe of second-guessing 

has arisen. I don’t know why but what I know 

is I can’t deny the shadow cast by it.  Not great

but enough for me to recognize.

I’ve never trusted second-guessing, that knowing

after the fact what could not be known before 

some now becomes some then.  The restlessness

of age has entered me.  That longing for more 

knowing there’s only less to take in.  That sense

of not wanting to miss what’s given.  I don’t want

my death poem to be, I wished for a fuller/ life lived.

These years of near solitude have taught me

a thing or two.   Forgive my doubts; I bow to where I am.

-Byron Hoot

 hootnhowlpoetry.com 

Lauds

It is Sunday and I feel the futility

of prayer in the air and the urge

to pray as if each holds a danger. 

I think of the infant Hercules

strangling the snakes, one in each hand.

How dangerous is that futility and urge.

It is Sunday and the shadow of wings

has passed over my yard in this grey

morning, some breeze stirred that came

through my door, touched my face,

some whispered words out of a whirlwind,

“The bet’s on.”  Hear, “The world makes

promises it breaks and we make them whole.”  

The morning holds a light snow near the Ides of March,

I can only understand, “Et tu. . ?” look at the pieces

to put back together.  It is Sunday, the Sabbath,

a holy day and I have no prayer I trust.

-Byron Hoot

hootnhowlpoetry.com

When the Cosmic Gets Dirt Under Its Fingernails

Being is confirmed by nothing.

That is the eternal equation,

proof everywhere in the words,

“I didn’t mean that” spoken softly.

Silently said.

Where we begin and end

is the same place,  “I will be

as I will be” the comprehensive 

answer to the question, “Just who

do you think you are?”

The answer spoken so soft and strong 

that mountains tremble, rivers 

pause, the sun and the moon exchange

places.  The blues called, I-Am-You-You-Are-Me

begins and the world starts to dance—

that dervish shuffle, that reggae dance of yes.

-Byron Hoot

https://hootnhowlpoetry.com

Let's talk about it.

Let's talk about it.

Ever wondered why there's never enough to go round?

Ever wondered why wars are budgeted?

Ever wondered why no one put a control over fashion

Ever wondered why there's good enough answers on paper and not in reality?

There's too much in store than in circulation in hopes for rainy days and when it rains there's still not enough in circulation because we again store for rainy days.

Man has moved past ways of preserving food, early humans did because it was a problem, now it isn't anymore, besides we have more expired foods than consumables with people sleeping hungry.

Men see many homeless people without food and yet we have expired food and abandoned houses, but No; no food for a lazy man, now includes women and children.

Men fight start wars they can't end because there's a budget in store for it than there should be for peace so why wouldn't they value wars more than priceless peace.

I like how climate change is still at the front burner but no one talks about how fashion has fast tracked climate change just as deforestation, technology, survival of the fittest and hate.

It takes hate to destroy nature but hate for what? Perhaps what isn't good for business and what hinders overambitiousness and what eliminates physical touch.

I doubt this is barely good for paper but let's talk about it, even if it were, it would barely make it to the papers and if it did, who would care to stop and think to say; Lets talk about it.

Let's talk about the dwindling away of Humanity

Let's talk about world peace

Let's talk about love

Let's talk about nature.

There's a whole lot to talk about for our common good but its not good for business perhaps it's good for paper politicking but definitely not good for survival because its survival of the fittest.

-Michael Odiah

In a lazy wind

In a lazy wind

with salted breath

I'll find

the softest ever

shade of green

sold to me in a

dream of mine.

-clw

Sunday Vibes

I’m Just cooling, taking it easy, on a Sunday afternoon,

Rejuvenating my spirit, preparing for the next monsoon.

Contemplating my moves, aligning chakras in the flow,

Activating my third eye, my focus on this natural glow.

Ahead of schedule, dropping lines for Divine Mercy,

This one's for P.O.E.M.S, Book Of Rhymes, it's controversy.

Grateful for the love, support on my literary feats,

Cible Cue Intuition, and P.O.E.M.S, the soul it meets.

In book mode, gotta fulfill my destined legacy,

Transcendence on my mind, leaving a poetic elegy.

When I'm gone, at my wake, read my words with care,

Taking it easy, like a Sunday morning, in the Sunday air.

High on positive Sunday vibes, feeling so alive,

Recharging for the week ahead, gotta thrive and strive.

A natural high, as I pen these lines, feeling so divine,

In tune with the universe, my spirit begins to shine.

Focused on growth, on wisdom, and on peace,

Sunday vibes elevate, negativity they release.

Aligning my energy, manifesting dreams so clear,

I'm on a mission, leaving a legacy that will always adhere.

Cible Divine Mercy, P.O.E.M.S, it's my story to tell,

In the calm of Sunday, I rise, I excel.

Rejuvenating my soul, in the Sunday vibes so strong,

Prepared for what's to come, as I sing my Sunday song.

High positive Sunday vibes, setting the tone for the week,

Ready to conquer, ready to seek, with my spirit at its peak.

Grade A Cue

"I Feel Like Al Khidr to a Bunch of Moses"

I feel like Al Khidr to a bunch of Moses,

Glimpsing ahead, while the present proposes.

My actions may not align with your current view,

But in time, understanding will shine through.

Some things transcend the grasp of our minds,

Mysteries unfold, leaving reason behind.

Don't talk down, don't hate, seek to comprehend,

For ignorance breeds haste, and misunderstanding won't amend.

Stupidity lingers in the rush to judge and decry,

Lacking understanding, the foolishness lies.

Reasons hidden, veiled from plain sight,

Require patience and wisdom to bring to light.

For every action, a reason does exist,

A chain of events, a twist and a twist.

Equal and opposite, reactions unfold,

In the tapestry of life, intricate stories untold.

Seek knowledge, delve deeper than what's presented,

Not all truths lie in the obvious, the contented.

For wisdom awaits those who yearn to learn,

In the realm beyond, where understandings burn.

So let's tread with humility, and seek to uncover,

The layers beneath, where mysteries hover.

I feel like Al Khidr, with knowledge to share,

In the dance of existence, where truths lay bare.

Grade A Cue