It’s long been known that insight comes
when all the doors
have closed, when old
ways out won’t see
us through no matter how hard we
pound. It’s only
then, when we give
up, that the new
springs into view, leaving us to
wonder how we
could miss something
so obvious.
JDG
Now, between not yet and what was,
is always here
but seldom known.
Somewhere else, some
other time beckons us away,
interrupts our
stay, fills us up
with promises,
with memories, when all the while
is a present
to be opened
and lightly held.
JDG
Smooth and steady is not my style.
A sudden burst,
a pause, a dash,
a backward slide,
even a somersault or two
better reflects
the way I move.
Yes, it is true
sure- footedness is not my mode.
Yet, erratic
as I may be,
I stay in play.
JDG
What to do when a stitch in time
does not save nine
and you can’t let
sleeping dogs lie,
when even six apples a day
won’t keep the doc
away? What then?
Where DO you turn?
I guess there’s nothing left to do
but go inside
for a compass,
an inner guide.
JDG
A woman ages
down, not up,
Bending over
red clay pots,
Growing
strong ware,
Tending
sapling child
beneath
weathered legs,
A squat bowl
hollowed by
rain and wind,
Baked firm
by red sun.
JDG
Winter 1992
Driving west as late afternoon
sun slowly spills
its pot of gold
across the sky,
I ponder the extravagance.
Why such a grand
display as dark
comes slowly forth
to claim the day? But why hold back?
Why not fill night’s
waiting arms with
all the gold of day?
JDG
Winter is destined to win out
but Fall hangs on
with promises
to stay the course.
Like many a politician
who has flamed out,
Fall lingers still
in barrenness,
hoping much-desired warmth will
make up for all
that is missing
and did not last.
JDG
All the trains have left the station
but not with me,
although I left
the station too.
Our final destination will
be the same – still,
I’m glad I found
a way less fixed
to travel there, even if I had
to jump some tracks,
annoy some folks
who move in packs.
JDG
Creation’s cave’s no gentle place;
the mother has a double face.
The eyes that melt can also freeze,
the babe consumed for mother’s needs.
On crafted wings and father’s fear
the son takes flight to thinner air
and tethered women learn to dance
unpartnered save for spirit’s grasp.
JDG
A dog’s tail tells no lies, cannot
say one thing, but
mean another.
A dog can’t hide
behind a friendly wag as he
contrives a fierce
attack. It comes
as no surprise
that not one dog has ever climbed
Wall Street’s mighty
ladder or made
it to Congress.
JDG
