Either Or

Why must it be
either or
when I feel
both are more
than neither nor
with its sum
of none
which for me
is no fun
yet I know
when the time comes
when gravity takes hold
and no longer can I be bold
that I still wish to stroll
and look
without the thought
of being
looked at
with
pity.

Going Home

He blinked twice
with a memory
of warm white sand
and naked toes
that inspected sea shells
as his brogues
stepped gingerly over snow
he made his way
to the front porch
and he paused
and blinked
again.

The Songbirds

Did he have a choice
to think of things to come
when birds sang
as he pounded nails
into two by fours
that the blueprint
promised to be
a house
that strangers
would someday
call their home
yet would they ever
think of him
who built dreams
from sweat and toil
and the love
of songbirds
as he paused
to listen.

Letters in the Sand

He began etching
flowing thoughts
on damp sand
far enough
with stick in hand
from foamy surf
the words withstand
sandpipers
dancing
atop
the strand
when finally
stylus thrust
into the froth
overhead
gulls cry aloud
as the sea
begins to shroud
now
thoughtless
wounds
no longer
proud.

The Hermit Crab

They pick me up
and poke fingers
into my cottage
all in fun
as they watch
me scamper away
yet know not
I carry my home
balanced upon
my tired back
and soon I outgrow
this shrinking estate
and the hunt begins
again
until I find 
a more spacious abode
yet others too 
stake claim
and battle we do
until I scamper away
with a wobbly fit 
learning once again 
how to balance
a mansion
in shifting tides 
while escaping 
another 
human hand.