DIRECTION
 
Another paddle stroke
then
laying it down
across the canoe
 
this word swamp
moss floating
trees overlooking
a pinch of sun
 
gliding through stagnate
out into a clearing
just beginning to see
the smooth bottom
 
with speckled fishes
and a green turtle
swimming to shore.
 

(Previously published in ByLine Magazine) 


 
A BOY'S LAST SUMMER
 
Danny dared
until we followed.
 
Swimming in shadows
along the bank,
all in row
 
heart pounds and hush,
we spied
then took
the girls upstream.
 
The waters
are still
stirring.


(Previously published by The Galley Sail Review)


 
HAIKU
 
sitting around
campfire consuming
last of our minds
 
 
 
freeing our souls
in the sudden wind
rush
 

 
down the road
direction unknown
but not lost

 
 
years in the making
genius balancing on
edge of the abyss
 
 
 
pounding on the door
violently wanting
the other side
 
 
 
having a good time
knowing
they're numbered
 
 
 
fixing Momma up
for one last ride on
the rollercoaster
 
 
 
night school
should have turned on
more lights
 
 
 
some always hurry
into the nest
hornets
 
 
 
so many of us
end on our knees
hoping
 


© Stephen Jarrell Williams    
 
Stephen Jarrell Williams has done everything from mowing lawns to being an executive at a software company.  His poetry and short stories have appeared in over a hundred publications.  He loves to write, listen to his music, and dance late into the night.