Stephen Kilmer Poet Free verse

Llano Estacado

Thunderheads in the western sky
Rumbling across the Llano Estacado
A band is playing outside
Mariachi and country songs
Striped lizard on a rock
Snake coiled ready to strike
Coyote on the prowl

It only threatens
And never rains here
In the spring and early fall
I can hear the flycatchers 
Calling to the sun
Diving towards a butterfly
Why didn’t you ever call?

The toast on the counter
Jelly by the soap
Butter dish is empty
You think this is a joke?
Silver wings
Leave me lonely
Upon your cloak and coat
Catnip in the weed
I’ll take another toke

Dark and mysterious
Her eyes like coals
Dress the color of ash
A storm in her hair
Why does it seem 
So lonely here
In her home town
Wind down the alley
Cat upon the curb

Life is never easy
Clueless and relentless
We hurl towards the truth
That mediocrity is a consequence
Of living within the dream
And thunder is in the living
Not the rain driven queen

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Karen Anglesey October 28, 2013 at 10:30 PM Pondering the need for familiarity and comfort in this one. Seems they can be quite elusive at times :)

Suzanne Delaney October 28, 2013 at 7:49 PM Your words are moving. Held me enthralled right to the end. Lovely surprises in your use of language Welcome as a Lifetime member. SuZ Stephen Kilmer October 28, 2013 at 8:02 PM Thanks SuZ, I appreciate you taking the time to read my work. And thank you for your gracious welcome. ~Kilmer

Kathryn Collins October 28, 2013 at 9:43 AM You are a master of image; the image of longing and familiar heartbreak. The quest to understand is a lonely one. Throw the old toast away and fill the butter dish; not easy when a soul is so bogged down. That particular stanza reminds me so much of the loss of my husband turned upside down love, kathy .

Cherie Thomas October 28, 2013 at 7:37 AM Kilmer very facinating. We hurl towards the truth, That mediocrity is a consequence, of the living within the dream. I so hear that!! Needed a dose of this reality, this morning. Tyfs, love your thoughts kilmer & thanks for your friendship, means so much to me hugz <3 Cherie Stephen Kilmer October 28, 2013 at 6:13 PM Thanks for the kind words Cherie. Hope this finds you doing well. Live outside the dream! :) Kilmer

Laura Breidenthal October 27, 2013 at 10:45 PM I love how you describe real places and introvert everything with your lovely, unique expressions. I think that's what I love most about your poetry. This one is fantastic! Keep it coming! Always, Laura Stephen Kilmer October 28, 2013 at 6:14 PM Laura, as always your are too kind. thank you so much! ~Kilmer