Michael Shepherd Poems

The air from earth to Moon
honey-gold with souls and angels;

our every breath, rich with their spirit;
...

They never teach you this at school;
they'll try to teach you reading, writing, 'rithmetic
in their own instructed ways;
...

Love is life. Life is love.
Everything I understand,
I understand only because
I love.
...

Embattled in that mud - and blood-red poppies;
flooded trenches holding 'them' at bay;
life or death a coin's flippant toss-up;
deafening shellfire near by night and day -
...

I'm thinking, Dad, that soon, maybe, we'll meet;
at least, that's how it seems from what I hear;
the info's not at all clear on this point:
like, where exactly; and what will I wear,
...

This rose - red, scented, rich, without price –
is it speaking to me?
I cannot hear what it says. And yet…
...

Do you remember
that your first bike
with all its magic,
had a smell?
...

Mr President,


You are all
...

The sun's shining here,
hope it is with you;
the sort of day
I just might put on that new tie
...

I love the old Greek view –
within each of us
the god lies sleeping;
a sweet sleep, full of refreshment,
...