the air feels thin,
the air is cold
the sun falls dim
as day grows old

all wildlife hiding,
all students hurried
all heading home
with cell phones worried

though some faces look familiar
though some looks remind of names
though it would take little effort…
much too cold for friendly games

the sky today’s more blue
than i can remember
the clouds all look thin,
friendlier than december

and if i feel down, who
around should i blame?
back at home or at school,
my safe fate is the same

so projects, tests, job stuff
…or dumb arguments
mean less than old branches
dropping leaves on the fence

a meeting, class, headache
and a late campus tour
burn me out, stretch me
but hope does so much more

life is not a one-way street
though one way we may shuffle
now, why am i racing?
already i have won
my head is not made of meat
so i don’t need huge muscles

shallow girls are trouble
and lifting is not fun
my car may not be a ‘vette
as such, why should i worry?
plenty nice, not the best
a few more years – it’s gone
savings? i’ve got this town beat
few college students have
money to spare; i should

leave well enough alone
few can take the classroom heat
and most of those obsess
i try to not flip out…
school’s pointlessness is known
it’s when i accept defeat
though rarely i am willing
that things fall into place
why do i try to run?

where will i plant my feet?
i keep trying to keep steady
but even the level ground
is crooked here
can i look good enough?
i am thin and not ugly
but all the cool guys around

make me look bad
where should i park my car?
it is faster than many
but sure not the fastest, and
black scratches easy
how shall i best invest?
i’ve saved quite a few pennies
but if i improve my plan
i’d have much more

and if i make dean’s list?
the best grades will not last
once they’re marked, in the end
back to zero next spring
i will never keep up –
even leaves skipping past
on the street in the wind
more tension seem to bring

I cannot find a line
between sing-song and bland;
Between melodramatic and dismal.
I’ve overused all my favorite

song lyrics – they feel worn out
Can I think of a movie quote to apply?
Not off-hand — Please understand,
Even if I could write notes for guitar
I would not try to write them for this
It would be too much effort
…and at the same time, could not do justice
Maybe I’ll backtrack
tomorrow and try

To make just a few more
lines rhyme.
After all, it’s late
and maybe something
big will happen
Tomorrow
Maybe someone will show up
Who gives me a reason to daydream
Not that things

Are dark right now –
They’re actually real good
But it would seem
This feeling I don’t have
is one I should
I’m not depressed,
Not burned out or
even worn down;
Just tired.

Another day has come and gone
Decisions faced, paths laid
Now night brings darkness
and regret for mistakes that you’ve made

But darkness also brings out self
and silence – honesty
Admit your faults, face the deceit
Embrace simplicity…

Though one more day, however spent
Is now just memory
a new day comes, an infant chance
To choose heroically.

How many words have been written for fall,
rhymes of football, crisp leaves, harvest odors?
More than this one simple mind can recall
yet my stubbornness lets me delve further

Fall falls for winter and winter for spring
Now summer once more has turned o’er
to autumn and all of the joy that it brings
To remind us what we are here for

In the colors we see not lost life, but renewal
A true loving Father’s design.
Though we know the fresh air will soon carry a chill
Soon the winter will bring Christmastime.

Annual progression, hot back to cold
Swimming, to tackling, to snowballs
Beloved variety never grows old
Be thankful each time an orange leaf falls!

Hometown harvest festivals, corn from the fields
now at college I’m bound to miss out on
But these memories linger and autumn’s appeal
Warms as pure as a porch swing in low sun

The cool Kevin Griffin sings “This Time of Year,”
Whitcomb Riley penned “Frost On the Punkin.”
Is mankind improved because my words are here?
Just the chance to hope so is worth something.

The hero’s heart may sometimes wander, lost
Amid desire’s imaginative grounds
To leave him as a wren on winds sharp tossed
Though blame lies with his own brain’s senseless rounds

For while he might pretend he stands a chance
As eyes shine bright and lips part in a smile
Much hope is lost, ill-founded on one glance
And doubt becomes the product of denial

Weak faith but in th’affection of a girl
Brings pain, for fickle her affections run
And leave the hero lost in his own world
Without the light he mistook for the sun

So guard, lest your affections take control
Before you fall to form, Love’s true shape know