open prison

 open prison  

an open prison barred in by infection

some mask to avoid some run toward

same ol’ being the answer to you ok?

a voice on the radio says to stay home

don’t leave town as people head for their 

summer cottage probably return when

the cold bites to the radiators rattle

gutter fair come eat where you

parked your car step inside

for infection free eating deny deny

parks are full at weekends picnics

ball thrown some caught masks few

why bother young outside death only

a skull on a halloween black t-shirt

how many more will be taken our

jailer is doing very well never better

•

peter radley

... word from the East Village

... word from the East Village

you asked me how things are.

I now live in a quiet, even for

a ghost town, streets walked

by the masked, all keep their

distance.

There are still the noise makers

and air breathers, mask sneerers.

There are no readings to attend,

books to buy, the Libraries

now empty rooms.

Yet the parks oasis upon oasis.

Still to enjoy the great Elms, the

summer bird migration and that

chance of catching a darling bird

with a shutters click.

Then home to walk my hallways,

read my own books, then sit before

this one eyed God, who lets me

share with ones too far away.

•

peter radley

Photos by peter radley

far above

The other day, while watching the red-tailed hawks, peter radley and others spotted two bald eagles flying over Tompkins Square Park ... which inspired the following...

---

far above

overly warm march

brings us eyes binoculed

hawk paparazzi cameras

search that moment individual

through park branches

captured mostly not

secondary to this moment

more than disbelief

far above what soars

two bald eagles

making taking our day

we their prey

•

peter radley

resolve

resolve

we are just a shadow

cast across life

all that does disturb us

heartbreak and strife

all our assumptions

getting in our way

let us become the light

a shadowless day

would it be enough

to love another

is that enrichment or bluff

loving yourself is harder

taking a greater time

self forgiving ardor

becoming the one

that you love

•

peter radley

gathering days

gathering days

as i pass by the kitchen

my eyes take me to the numbers

on the calendar hanging upon the wall

where all can see clearly each day

a number each month a name

expressed in silence

yes with my pretty picture

here i am make the best of me

i never speed i never slow

never telling where to go

each year another slowly arrives

to hang upon your wall survive

when young one day barely moves

so eager to push time aside

as days gather unexpectedly

days now pass of their own accord

soon months pass like weeks then

didn’t i replace this calendar a month ago

what's that a new decade

what happened to the last one

•

peter radley

Dark Bird

Dark Bird

unexpected i could not unsee

this dark bird appearing before me

i stood still among the walking

as not to alarm this visiting

foraging fellow below the tree

food there finding i could not see

am i the only one noticing

so much beauty hops along

unexpected with a flap of wings

lands closer upon the fence

regarding me with a curious eye

my mind racing our relevance

before more than a breath a sigh

another flap of wings up and away

through the portal in the sky

alas too brief this silent stay

•

peter radley

Squall Screaming

Squall Screaming

nothing but the ticking clock

blustering wind colliding ancient branches

she likes the sound she makes

caring nothing as the sleeping child rocks

new moon giving no light to comfort

all around dark as lonely dark can be

a book slowly slides away from brethren

hovers before falling with loud report

child's eyes wide below trembling sheet

chilled silence sweeps about the bed

just ticking of the clock for company

and the cold skeletal hand that lifts the sheet

•

peter radley

Thought #19

Thought #19

Here it is again

with cold above

and warmth within

those long frozen fingers

taking hold once more

of months ahead

time to close the barrier door

make sure the dog is fed

no way to surpass all

that is to come but

time to read and write

that novel Knit or weave

clothes you will need

time to sit and ponder

what will you do this year

then as if unexpected you

see that first green shoot

birds arrive with spring

then all alive again.

•

peter radley

Summer Hibernation

Summer Hibernation

Returning to all that was lost

to sweltering days now passed

those clothes that were tucked

away in their snug piles

for the past season having

been too hot to consider

where are my gloves away

on a walking tour of the Hebrides

a little stiff from their excursions

the unexpected discovery of a

garment new at the end before

summer began in earnest

re-discovered born again into cooler climes

scarfs hats that no matter how

many you have collected

boil down to the same few

that your friends will recognize

before they recognize you.

•

peter radley

August 22nd 2018

August 22nd 2018

Emerging from a Summer

that never seemed able

to pass that over bearing

mix of: too hot, too humid,

too wet, too long, just too …

will we now be teased by

a breeze, a night

cool enough to sleep

false security, maligned teasing

summers cruel little joke

what did I expect

an unreasonable summer of old

foolish I know, just call me a

Pollyanna. In the summer sweat,

hopefully, in the Winter shiver.

•

peter radley

July - August

July - August

Day long with light

                      heavy with heat

sounds of laughter

       shaved ice blocks

children’s eyes bright

            their colored treat

lawns decorated with bodies

      some moving

some not

some turn slowly

      as a burger on the grill

sizzling hot

  oppressive  flushed face

   

shade a premium

             beating the heat

       

wearing brightest lightest clothes

  

becoming summer’s damp

    embrace

until

                  the nights draw in

summer will conspire

                                   holding us in its fire

resigned we

                                   will try not to let it win.

     •

     peter radley

Ignite

Ignite

June sun ignites the summer solstice

retreating slowly into darkening days

leaving in its wake sisters Hot and Humid

to argue who should show their prominent ways

start the A/C, resurrect the lightest linen

seeking shade insufficient, try lemonade

too hot for hot we had forgotten how the

sweltering sun rays exhaustion made

Some of our assumptions will arrive

others fall on stoney ground

this serious summer business

what is out there, a good time found.

•

peter radley

Dance • Dance • Dance

Dance • Dance • Dance

Drums are drumming

Speakers speaking

Rhythms to the crowd

Costumes costuming

Prism colors

Moving right around

Bodies gyrating

Arms a-waving

Feet a rhythmic blur

This the most fun

That is happening

People will concur

Once a year

Just not enough

Then again not everyday

We need to

Catch our breath

To dance in other ways

When we are lonely

Perhaps sad and blue

Dancing is the thing to do

Find a corner

Put on some sounds

Then dance around and around

Now feeling better

Because we know a way

Of being happy everyday

Who says

We need to wait to dance

Till the next dance day

Dance • Dance • Dance.

•

peter radley

Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros

The last Rhinoceros on this earth

Made from metal by clever craftsmen

Impervious to new cruel bullets

Three taking the noble stance of one

Grand beasts cleverly combined yoga

By making themselves greatly smaller

They may go unnoticed for a while

Dispelling fears of being no more

Vanished, no trace, of living before

Melted as plowshares into weapons

No more to traipse the great savanna

The Chinese with non a firming loss

This deed being but a double cross

Our love shown to the Rhinoceros.

•

peter radley

Previously on EV Grieve:
Goodbye Sudan

Equinox

Equinox

Equally the seasons compose the year,

Sun lifts its head above the horizon fair,

Winter quietly slips as Spring draws near,

Flowers split the soil their beauty everywhere,

Color holds the eyes interpretation,

Reluctant winds still tug at life ascending,

Standing bright Springs growing affirmation,

Light warming breaths hope reverberating,

New life coming in pulsing abundance,

A migration of birds, singing, nesting,

Folk coming from far and near, attendance,

Bands happy, Jazz Day, Dance Day, Rocking,

Soon lighter clothes we will be wearing,

Iced drinks sipping, hot coffee drinking.

•

peter radley

Dora – Nora

Dora - Nora

Dora - Nora, Nora - Dora,

Will Christo do what is honorable,

Nora - Dora, Dora - Nora,

Nesting, no time to squabble,

Dora - Nora, Nora - Dora,

Females, time to huddle,

Nora - Dora, Dora - Nora,

Only one hawk from this muddle,

Dora - Nora, Nora - Dora,

Open the envelope please, Ah cuddle,

Dora!

•

peter radley

Previously

Red & White

Previously by peter radley

Our Happy New Year

Our Happy New Year

We awaken from one year into

another, will there ever be rest?

What are we going to do,

with this new blank slate.

Can we find it within, to do,

all we have promised ourselves,

Or will we leave our promises,

For another time, another year.

Make this the year of moving,

Forward with our dreams,

Why not, let’s make some,

Good news for a change,

If you have no dreams,

Help someone who does.

Let us bring joy back.

•

peter radley

Dark Tree

Dark Tree

We gather under that same dark tree,

Where we have gathered many times before,

Some of us sing, while others join in,

Happy dogs barking in harmony,

A Fall dampness in the air,

The smell of hot chocolate lingering there,

Chatting with friends old and new,

The choir sings without a care,

As if by the magic of anticipation,

Our tree bursts into sparkling lights,

White bulbs glowing in wild configuration,

Collectively we cheer, our laughter bright,

So begins the season, not too tardy?

Of togetherness, friendship, and more hot chocolate, please.

•

peter radley

The 26th annual Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lighting is Sunday from 4-5 p.m.

That First Breath of Air

That First Breath of Air

It is so unexpected when it comes,

That nights sleep once so familiar,

Deep and long, followed by another,

Dreams less torrid, if at all.

Waking refreshed, ready to saunter,

Through the crisp air of Fall.

•

peter radley