Nineseventeenpm

As the second hand ticks away my breaths
a half-clad moon catches my eye.
Was a time when I might've seen
the ghost of half-eaten melon,
but I'm older now, my thoughts less spry.
Dark fear's hobgoblins
were long since relegated
to memory's chuckle drawer;
open windows to warm nights ease my mind.

I must shave and write.

Neither seem as pressing
as the once hormone-inducing prance
in distant starlight,
the hot exhalations of desert air.
Nor do creased page corners
to detective thrillers and t.v.'s prattle
beckon hours with purpose.
I'm the insouciant sentry
at castles in retirement,
the dragon minus annoying fire.
Crows no longer pick eyes of the dead
in picture frames on paneled walls.
My shoes don't guardedly tread 
engineered woods of perfection. 
Aging brings a basset hound,
graying around the nose,
laying placidly on the rug.

I'll get to tasks eventually.
For now I commune with the moon,
allowing my mind the idyll 
of a worn desk in a cluttered room
and the dulcet laze in lyrics of night birds 
serenading summer's first hours.

6/19/18
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Gentry Avatar
July 17, 2018 at 7:44 AM
Congratulations on your win. Amazing imagery, amazing write. Well done!
Cozart Avatar
July 17, 2018 at 8:09 AM
Thanks again, Susan!
Wigley Avatar
July 15, 2018 at 1:53 AM
Excellent, Dale, a worthy win, rich in imagery. Much enjoyed. Regards, Viv
Wigley Avatar
July 15, 2018 at 1:53 AM
Excellent, Dale, a worthy win, rich in imagery. Much enjoyed. Regards, Viv
Cozart Avatar
July 15, 2018 at 7:52 AM
Thanks, Viv.
Roper Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 10:36 AM
Congratulations on your awesome win. Hugs Eve
Cozart Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 11:25 AM
Thanks much, Eve.
Ibeh Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 10:04 AM
Sending congratulations for your win, Dale! Well-deserved!
Cozart Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 10:06 AM
Thanks, Edward.
Fisher Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 8:31 AM
Congratulations! I really enjoyed reading this.
Cozart Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Thanks, Haley!
Inman Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 7:37 AM
I love the personal feel of your write Dale. The tidbits of reminiscence make the poem very relatable and your imagery is wonderful.
Cozart Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 7:51 AM
Thanks so much, James.
Lawless Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 7:15 AM
Dale, this one had me from the first line....and a WOW to the metaphor and imagery throughout. Thanks for participating in the contest
Cozart Avatar
July 14, 2018 at 7:36 AM
My pleasure, John.
Dutta Avatar
July 1, 2018 at 9:28 PM
Tough strong forceful yet rhythmic. All the best.
Cozart Avatar
July 2, 2018 at 8:30 AM
Thanks , Anisha.
Wolf Avatar
June 19, 2018 at 7:49 PM
'...memory's chuckle drawer...' '...insouciant sentry...' My, you can turn a phrase, Mr. Cozart! I am once again taken, swept away with the force of your poesy. Great entry for the contest. Best wishes, Gershon Wolf
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