This Old Dog ~~~ Day 14 of NaPoWriMo

Life lies lightly in the body
of this old dog--
The hard work of being old
burdens step and sleep.

She is shrinking, giving herself back
bit by bit, distilled to sharper bones,
loyalty and a bark her ears no longer hear.

I eye the ground, home.
Someday I will have to bury her,
loyalty and all:
Give her back.

J. Pratt-Walter, 2012

vortex ~~~ NaPoWriMo

In the center of the center,

in a vortex of light

and purple scent,

where magic is born

and passionately sent,

sighs the heart of the Iris,

longing, longing for the night.

Sorcery of love: it shall be spent.

J. Pratt-Walter, 2012

Music ~~~Day 8 of NaPoWriMo

Music teaches me
   to listen,
but silence teaches me
   to hear.



J. Pratt-Walter, 2012

Silence ~~~~ Day 8 of NaPoWriMo

I couldn't think of a good name for this short piece:

Music teaches me

   to hear,

but silence teaches me

   to listen.

J. Pratt-Walter, 2012

Day 7, NaPoWriMo

The pen of God writes
me fresh each day with words and
a sure sense of humor.

J. Pratt-Walter, 2012

Tunnel Vision ~~~ Day 7 of NaPoWriMo 2012

YOU are the light
waiting at the end
of your own tunnel.

J. Pratt-Walter, 2012

Heart Gate ~~~ Day six of NaPoWriMo

Locked in cobweb and rust

lies that faraway gate,

door to an unstill heart.

Why does it hurt so to open?

Split the lock,

unhinge the hardware,

push it gloriously ajar--

Face the things that closed

preciously hopeful You:

Not being The Beloved

can still hurt beyond reckon.

Do doors, like velvet buds,

long to unspiral open?

J. Pratt-Walter