New Works by Paul Wackell
I watched him talking with A group of other older gentlemen, Reminiscing about their days of service. He laughed with them. Smiled with them, Regaled them with stories Of his time in Germany, Flying gliders in the mountains, Soaring above the clouds, The old red...
The morning air was crisp For the first time in quite some time. The first hint of amber appeared On a few leaves of my maple trees. My bare feet ached delightfully From the cold wet grass underfoot As I sipped my first cup of coffee Strolling leisurely about my...
It’s been the longest winter of all my winters, More frigid, more sullen, more distressingly hollow, Than any other winter beauty has left in her wake. I’m haunted by the remembrances of erstwhile loves, And crestfallen by the totality of so much love lost. This time...
I sat at the edge of my bed With my guitar in hand. It didn’t feel like music, It never does. I fingered a few familiar chords, Plucked a simple pattern or two. The tune rose but didn’t sing. The few sullen notes Drifted off in to the loneliness Of the ether. Silence...
The apple tree was blooming In all its spring magnificence. The fragrance of lilacs blew into our yard From Mrs. Swenson’s next door. Laughter abounded, his laughter, Booming, echoing off the canyon walls Between the Boyd Street homes. He was this joyful lighthearted...
Evening settled upon us as the sun began to set Beyond the towering Carolina pines. I basked in the whisper of a passing zephyr, Enthralled by the song of a few crickets, Just awakening to welcome the day’s end. The western sky was awash in brazen Brush strokes of...
Will my most recent love, Unrequited though it may be, Turn out to be the last and final love That will ever grace my life? Will I live on with only Memories of love? My heart still yearns, My desire still rages My passion still burns, And my hope for another Tomorrow...
He sat on one end of the sofa Starring out the French doors, Quietly watching the snow fall Gently upon his leaf covered lawn. He slowly rubbed the fingertips Of one hand back and forth across The top of his other forearm. He turned toward me Still rubbing his arm. He...
Sitting on a wall thinking I could stomp on that ant Just cause I could Not sure I should Thinking I would. Sitting on a wall thinking I could stomp on that fly Just cause I could Not sure I should Thinking I would Sitting on a wall thinking I could stomp on that...
I stood quietly for a few moments Leaning against the counter, Looking out the kitchen window into my garden Ablaze in the glory of an early morning sun, Waiting for the coffee to finish brewing. I poured two mugs and softly shuffled Back to my bedroom Placing one mug...
If someone told me I’d fall in love again, I’d laugh and wish them well. It’s not that I don’t Want to love, Or be loved, But I don’t think love Wants to love me. Too many years have passed, And too many loves Have come and gone And left my heart In tatters on the...
The first fifty-degree day each autumn I break out my winter clothing. I venture forth in a hoodie and sweatpants, And take deep refreshing breaths, Of the chilly autumn air. The first fifty-degree day of each spring I break out my warm weather clothing. I venture...