The Hanner

you'll never see a Hanner
carrying a banner
he's a simple unobtrusive beast

he will come out with the moon
on a sultry night in June
looking for a simple goony feast

the Hanner will not hurt you
will not frighten or molest you
but he'll steal your very favorite book

I wish I had a nickel
for every sour pickle
I hid that Hanner came and took

he is known to steal your hubcaps
your radios and roadmaps
your tires are the purest of delight

so if you think its stole
better look in Hanner's hole
'cause Hanner Moon is shining bright tonight

1971

That chalk-striped suit . . .

That chalk-striped suit . . . . . 2011

Haikus

the gray day settles
slowly falls to leafybed
cool grass pulls it close
. . .
night walks on cool feet
the nude oaks bathe in darkness
the land is patient
. . .
the rocks remain still
day and night meld together
clinging moss abides

1983
(while camping in the Ouachita Forest )
Langley, Arkansas

In comes the Queen's Assisstant

Glockenglug

what you see down there on the rug
that thing you think is just a bug
is actually a glockenglug
a harmless little goony lug

glockenglugs, they live in rugs
of pile, or shag, or hoop
they're very tidy, very neat
and go outside to poop

there is a downside, never fear
glockenglugs, et al, drink beer
they'll raid your 'fridge late at night
and drink until they all get tight

and then, en masse, they'll run amok
making sounds just like a duck
to wake you up at half past two
crazy drunk and full of brew

stay cool, my friend, and do not stray
too long, or get too far away
glockenglug will not go home
I fear he's here to stay


2007

Ain no dif'rence what she say . . . . .

colors in the night

midnight purple drapes are hanging
across the sky
across the night

midnight purple clouds are ganging
they seem to fly
they seem in fright

midnight purple hearts are panging
across the moon
across the height


midnight purple heartstrings twanging
they seem so shy
they seem so slight

1972

After the bath . . . .

Drying her hair 1999