Mission San Juan Capistrano                                      —for Carolyn Porter    One    Solstice light came at me like a memory  As I walked out through the chapel doors  Away from the darkness of its gold    Into the midmorning rich and silent air.  There were no schoolchildren touring there  But the problem still lay heavy on me ... Continue Reading →

God is in your closed eyes, when your mouth rests on mine. I taste his longing to escape, but all I can give him is my own prison.   God is in the absence of your touch as your hand releases my shoulder leaving chills of a confused zephyr on my skin.   God is... Continue Reading →

Lost, wandering the dark paths of my empty soul, Suspended between earth and paradise, With this sharp pain and dreams beyond my control, My thoughts of you like silent stars arise, The only light I see it’s in your eyes, The only sound I hear is from your laughter, and from the love’s arrow that... Continue Reading →

I had never been to the seaside. I knew what to expect, though. I had a book about it. There were lots of pictures of rock pools and the strange creatures living there. My favourites were the hermit crabs. I was looking forward to those the most. I had a little bucket to collect them... Continue Reading →

If we met back when we were kids, how much of this would have been reversed? How much of anything could have been changed instead of living in stasis? If I keep guessing with these “what-if’s,” will it change your mind? Take your time: waiting is a game we play for all our lives. I’ll... Continue Reading →

The devastation that loss brings Shocks the stamina, unnerves the system. Pain is measured in miniscule increments Like the dissemination of a thousand cuts Layered on an inch of perilous skin.   The call to action of our consciousness Elevates momentarily before retreating into stillness. The rallying cry will not happen any time soon. The... Continue Reading →

I apologize for apologizing but my voice is too sharp and a flick of my arm too flippant and don’t forget my jokes are about hillbillies and royals and incest a train crash joke for good measure   it’s the world, hopeful humor doesn’t fit anymore and if I don’t look like I’m paying attention... Continue Reading →

In a world where we constantly ask, What’s next? I want to be your steady.  Your lighthouse in the dark.  Your umbrella in the rain.  The sheath for your sword.  Whatever the world throws  At us next — We fight together.  Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com About the Poet: Jodie Baeyens was deposited in... Continue Reading →

Depression is like a black hole in space; That devours all your positive thoughts and leaves you without a trace… Or a clue as to who you are or what you should do. Making you cross-examine your inner self: “Are you really you?” A bottomless pit so deep, negative and strong; Constantly emitting thoughts to... Continue Reading →

Late afternoon beach light Bronze, bronze, bronze North and Central American flesh On Disney beach towels Eastern European, Korean, Sri Lankan and Japanese flesh On Disney beach towels Bronze, bronze, bronze, even if it’s a spray Surfboard in a photoshoot that a gray haired man watches He has an admiring smile on skin he’s happy... Continue Reading →