The Old Man
the old man sits
forgotten on the hill
empty head and eyes are gone
the old man doesn’t know his name
the sun rises in his mouth
the crow eats his teeth
the old man smells the earth
moving beneath him
sinks into her
she knows his touch
he breaks his bones to lie down
he breathes yellow mist
and red moon light
Stranger Beasts
the wolf lies in peace
imposing on the stream
smaller beasts join the waters below
the door to stare from
fear or thrill
either be new
willingly not to dare
the wolf call wants no reply
moon shine sees its false light
buzzing dawn
the risen sun
of yesterday
knows not itself
for today
we are stranger beasts
to think of here or there
meaner minds to want
the everywhere
Dustin Ray was born and raised in southwest Oklahoma, and he truly enjoys a good beer.