In the morning
There is a chill
In the air
Slowly I move
Outside
The sun is
Peaking over
The horizon
And the fog
Is dissipating
Slowly and
Surely
Across the dirt
Road
Is the garden
Deer sit quietly
Eating the
Snow peas
Thankful they
Grow so well
In the chilly
Weather
I think to chase
Them away
Then consider
Pantry is full
Canning is done
I will let them
Enjoy the sweet
Crisp taste in
Peace
Before winter
Comes again
Gene G. McLaughlin 2005
Time of death 6:47
Body is warm but eyes are empty
Medic closes them
It is 20 years ago
We are in the woods (woods not now)
Behind the mountain (mountain even now)
It is sunny but cold
There is a foundation of a house (house not even then)
There are rusty ancient tools (tools still in some form)
‘This is a time and place to recall’
Time and place recalled correctly clearly
Medics move quickly
Arrangements made long ago
Fires will burn hot clean permanent
There is a deer close to the foundation(deer probably not now)
Deer ponders green on forest floor(green still green each spring)
We are appraised as no danger
‘Some are moments to cherish’
Moment indeed moment is cherished
Medics leave dark of night seems darker
Phone rings condolences are given support offered
Declined but appreciated grief unmassaged by words or actions
Stream runs cold and strong(stream still stream now)
Next to the water bug is eaten by a green frog(bug not bug in a moment)
Frog hops away happy with achievement
‘All thing are connected’
Coffee in the morning mind distant and unclear
No tears shed but mind is tired
TV hums in background talks of plane crash in ocean
Young couples fate not known worst suspected
Heat of day approaches soon food crowds kitchen
Recently delivered made with care
Day passes quickly thoughts of varied topics
Distractions are fleeting but happen none the less
Objects flood memories good bad neither
Formalities will come soon after(Already man is man no longer)
For my father 1938-1999
Gene G. McLaughlin 2003
Feedback serenade
I can hear it in the night
Lying in the bed I’ve made
I can feel you through the night
You are howling
Only for me
Ever prowling
Only for me
I am guilty
At least I think
I am filthy
At least I think
Feedback serenade
Dissonant song of hunting
Ringing ears do not fade
Instinct says I should be running
I would be haunted
If I could think
I cannot sleep
If not for drink
Maybe self created
In my own skull
Never dissipated
The howl never dulls
Gene G. McLaughlin 2006
We all got scars
On soul or skin
In churches or bars
We all got sin
In the public eye
Or held within
Raise a glass
Sing a song
Go to mass
Hit the bong
This too shall pass
Before too long
You want redemption?
Not tonight friend
Tonight’s for wine
And vague memories
We all got wars
We all have lost
We all got scores
Of things they cost
Live today
Pray tomorrow
Find a way
To ease the sorrow
Sin not committed
Cannot be repented
The cycle repeated
As He intended
Gene G. McLaughlin 2006
I could tell you it was about love
But it was kind of really about need
I could tell the cop it was an emergency
But it was pretty much about speed
I could tell you I was into Phish
But in truth it was about the weed
I could tell you I work for the love of it
But straight up its really greed
I could tell you a whole lot of shit
But not telling is my creed
Gene G. McLaughlin 2012
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