Patrick Higgy

Shimmering waters—A slow, relentless ascent,The snail gives no thought.

Thirsting on the brink, stallions stall by the water,Led by instinct and driven by fear.The vipers hum and hiss and steerThese beasts of burden to certain slaughter.

When she wants someone to slap her ass and pull her hair,She’ll miss me.When the void aches and she needs it pumped and filled,She’ll miss me. But when the rain drums lonely against the glass,Will she remember?Or when she lies alone with no hand to hold but her own, Will she remember? When choking herself…

Toss out the fruit before it spoils.Give the flies no chances.We made sweet indulgences with them,But now they get no second chances. Heave the fruit into your compost heap.With luck, you can amend your soilAnd create something even more beautifulWhen you‘re ready to uncoil. Toss out the fruit before it spoils.What you had was certainly…

First, I thought it was just jitters,The pace too breakneck,Our horses too swift. Then, I believed your burdened soulWas simply too spent,Justifying the downshift. Next came the holidays, heavyWith obligations aplenty,And a tenuous rekindled gift. What followed was foggy. Unclear.A gloomy, shadowed sky and noBridge to span this rift.

The graceful GuanyinGuides the compassionate waves—Her mercy flowing.

UnfulfilledUnder-filledIt really makes no difference.Restless mindRest less, mindClogged with naught but dissonance.

The Buddha sat serenely in grace,The Cardinal joined his calm space.The snow softly falling,It all seemed enthralling,Charming and slowing my hectic pace.

I tire of your indelible marks.Canned and copied remarksHint not at emotion,But to a devotionTo acclaim for hollow praiseFor your overused clichés.