For the Upcoming Solstice

/ Ed Lehner / Leave a comment 

Descending chords sounded the death knell of summer. 
Pipers called chieftains, kings and warriors
from far off fields of wasted war and destruction
to once more gather around bright solstice fires 
to share with lost forgotten lovers and friends.

So beat your pagan drums to the true religions
of earth, of the universe, of all the goddesses
and gods that are our daily companions
as we walk this mortal coil to the new light
we have sought since leaving our mother’s wombs.

A Ride Mister?

/ Ed Lehner / Leave a comment 

Lonesome highway blues,
itchy eyes . . . aching head,
steel guitar honky-tonk AM,
. . .  an all night run.

Interstate 80 west, 
open full moon road,
the creative life blood, 
soother of my soul.

She was sitting on a bench 
at the last rest stop before Wyoming emptiness 
in her paisley gypsy hippie dress, 
blond dreadlocks hanging free to a waist slender and taut.

Her eyes betrayed longing sadness only the poet could suffer.

‘A ride Mister?’ she asked without spoken words.

Her backpack and soul 
fell into my rickety van
urgently asleep on a mattress 
from a late night dumpster
in my last night of confinement 
before the reaper came again.

On Medicine Bow Peak 
I dropped a sacred crystal
into the empty cairn . . . 
an offering to mountain gods.

She smiled approval when she kissed me peace.

An eagle circled above.

Prayer flags fluttered in silent air.