Fake vs. real

Though it looks like a painting,

 It’s a photograph, though I never figured out — 

Because it sat in a bowl of water — 

If the flower was real or artificial. 

And that’s how things seem to be, these days: 

We know, less and less, 

What is true and what is false; 

What’s human-generated 

And what’s AI…

How can we protect?

We’ve learned to erect scaffolding 

Around the buildings we need to protect and repair, 

But what scaffoldings have we put in place 

To protect and repair the principles, 

The morality and integrity 

Once established for our society?

Ageless beauty

How is an old barn like Cleopatra?

 “Age cannot wither her, 

Nor custom stale her infinite variety.” 

That which we love 

Seems ever beautiful before our eyes. 

If only we could learn to love 

Each moment in our lives…

Just curious

What happens in an old New England Inn, 

When someone decides to mount candles 

On the wall above a fireplace. 

I found them in the summer, and wondered, 

Am I the only one who noticed that they melted? 

Or is it that they’ve been left here as a joke?

Moments to remember

What is it we’ll remember, 

When our days draw to a close? 

Will it be acquisitions and accomplishments,

 Or precious moments, and special people? 

What choices might we make this day 

To spend our time and energies more wisely?

Eagle eyes

He who watches over all 

Is seeking, not to protect, but to devour:

Whatever he has just destroyed 

 Never seems to bring satisfaction.

At day’s end

At day’s end, 

We make time to reflect and dream: 

How have I made the world a better place today, 

And what might I do tomorrow 

To encourage the resurgence 

Of peace and compassion?