First Time/Every Time

each time you begin
it is the first time

not to be as before
as the act is formed

anew in its own
time and not to

be again else its
origins are betrayed

in the act of becoming
breaking the link in a

chain formed of itself
from a voice speaking

within the silence of
one who makes his

way alone enshrouded
under a cloud of doubt
_______

the more known
the less done

keep ignorance your ally
and innocence your guide

We Join Hands

we join hands
music flows
softly between us

an endless stream
of silent song
without beginning
or end

breathless
in the silence
between us

Let Us Go

Let Us Go

let us go
you and I
to where the
water meets the sky
and be one again
before all is done
and winter’s dim dark chill
draws down hard and fast
and we cower
from each sullen blast
of rancor hurled
in hostile fling
against what endures
through tentative hour
while waning dreams
fade faster than
feeble ambition
can sustain
abiding the angular course
to quiet realms
of solemn darkness
in peace

David Sermersheim

Stone/Sound

Stone/Sound

the sound
follows a stone
tumbling down
and away
from where
it held
a moment
before breath
slipped away
from what
is known
but unseen

I follow
its impression
on the
soft cushioned step
of the one
who guides my
way toward his
evanescent domain

School Daze

today I go
to the upside-down
school again

where right
is wrong
wrong is right

and everything’s equal
simultaneously at
all times

Illusion

so near
you can hear

close enough to touch
but just out of reach

when you see it
it’s gone in
a wink a glance

perhaps imagined
but not forgotten

only to reappear
when you least expect it
need it or want it

this fan dance of the mind
is a game an illusion

created by someone
for his amusement
not mine

Gesture

Sometimes it comes
in clusters,
fragments,
complete statements
without prodding.

Other times it has to be
kneaded, pushed
coerced, humored,
“bribed” and encouraged
by any means available.

Most of all it takes
time
patience
experience
technique
detachment
desire
and an unshakable will
not to give up.