Famine Survivors

Gutters
by John Hayes

Summer rains flood the gutters
of city streets
boys grab toy vessels
set sail in roaring seas.
Mouths solemn eyes alert
Kill the enemy!

Villains exterminated
heros generated on fantasy seas
cunning boys
masters of the battle
bored no more.


Words flood the minds.
Eliminate the evil.
Men maneuver giant ships in blustery seas.
Mouths solemn
eyes alert
Kill the enemy!


Ships blown
food for the sea
pawns of the battle
their cunning leaders
bored no more.

Previously published in:
San Fernando Poetry Journal
Melting Trees Review
Pegasus
Feather and Talon

After the Ball

http://blackpetalsks.tripod.com/yellowmama/index.html

The Summit
by John Hayes

The rocky path
leads up the mountain slope.
Where spring water gushes
I drop my staff
drink from cold cupped hands.

Refreshed, I resume my climb.
Summit reached, October’s wind curses in my ear
pierces dampened lungs and aching knees.
Clouds darken above my head.

My orange sweater with the green tortoise
planted on the front, drawn from backpack
offers little warmth as I pull it on.
Six mystic boulders beckon me
I take shelter in their spell.

My fingers probe red mountain dirt
sift it back to earth.
Clouds part
I taste the sapience of sun.

Fertility

And death's body
feeds into the living
the nourishment of life.

Lovers

Lovers lock on a moonlit lawn
chiggers feast till dawn