On a Bright Crisp November Morning in New York

Thousands of people died yesterday
Some died in their sleep
Some starved to death
Some were stillborn

Thousands of people died yesterday
Some drowned while swimming
Some let go after a long and protracted illness
Some were killed by exploding bombs

Thousands of people died yesterday
Some chose to take a fatal leap
Some died of gunshot wounds
Some perished when Flight 587
Fell from the sky shortly after takeoff
On a bright crisp November morning in New York

California Dreaming

The hills of golden dry grass
are like a lion’s coat
as they shimmer
in the warm breeze.

A lone craggy oak
stands watch on a hillside
whilst a vulture
soars gracefully
over head
against the deep blue
and cloudless sky.