Canal View

Distant
Mountains
Peaks hidden
Behind veil of mist
Darken from ghostly grey
To soft purple, Turning darker still
As they approach in the lower foothills
Turning to browns then greens
As they reach
The water’s
Edge

Gentle
Wavelets
Pattern the canal
As it spreads out all around
From east to west filling sight
And reflecting the cloud dotted sky
Carrying boats and floating logs
Silently, calling to me
High above on my
Quite tranquil
Perch


Ken Goree


My friend Kelly and I took a road trip today.  We had the pleasure of visiting my friend Diana at her wonderful cabin on Hood Canal.  I can’t imagine a more magical place.  The view from her deck looking out across the water is incredible.  The tips of the Olympic Mountains were hidden in the clouds, but we could see the progression of lower and lower hills that were closer to us.  The Hood Canal had a slight ripple on its surface, marked occasionally by passing boats, diving birds and here and there the dark slash of a salmon’s fin as it cut through the surface.  It is a very peaceful place.  Thank you Diana, for your hospitality.

Earning Wings

When on dying
We all earn
A pair of wings
To wear
How you live your
Life till then
Tells which will be your pair

Are you living
In the now,
Thinking only
Of yourself
With scaly, scabrous
Leather wings
Goaded by
Satan, himself

Or

Are you living
In the moment
With kindness
For all you see
With pearly, white,
Bright feathered wings
In heaven’s light, and
Flying free


Ken Goree



This is more about Karma than actual beliefs regarding one religion.  I know Karma balances everything and the receivers of bad, most often don’t receive an equivalent balancing good, themselves.  However, I’ve seen several situations lately where the person creating bad, got back at least a share of what they gave out.

Burning Embers

Burning Embers

Like a living thing

Pulsing light, shifting, moving

Radiating warmth 

Ken Goree

I was just sitting around a small bon fire with friends.  I realized how the warmth of the embers and the flickering shifting arrange and yellow glow of the coals weaves a closeness between people.  I usually feel the need to keep conversations going when there is group of people together; silence feels awkward.  Around a fire, that changes.  Silently watching the dance of light within a camp fire, or even a fireplace fire is not taboo.  It is like a shared meditation. 

Catching Crabs

There once was a man who caught crabs
To the neighborhood somebody blabs
The word spread ‘round quicker
His friends had to snicker
For these crustaceans he always grabs


Ken Goree

Dealing with a Psychopath

Dealing with a psychopath
A hobby I eschew
Even if they chose to stop
There’s nothing they can do

You see they’re driven on their path
A darker inner light
Following a shadowed way
Gives them a delight

Thank God, there are not more of them
Among us in this age
Because they never end their drive
They cannot be assuaged

So if you ever find yourself
In company of one
Don’t plead for better treatment
All you should do is run


Ken Goree


Sorry, about the subject.  I just saw an advertisement for Dexter, and it got my mind flowing that direction.  This poem could be considered a Didactic poem, since it does a little instructing.