Is a song

This way or that
all ways are right
as fluid as gender
not rigid as religion
both lengthy and short
some symmetric and not
home to the iambs and i ams
tolerant of unknown licenses
inclusive of worldly cultures
comments sensible or otherwise
the backbone of every tradition
is a song, a poem, a hearty welcome

Fate of the unprepared

The worst in many years
it’s biting and it’s chilling
heartless coldness unfearing
creeping through the darkness
peeping in half-open wardrobes
combing a way through, unabashed
thrusting itself upon the air
and pricking at my wiggly toes
cutting through cotton clothes
and laughing at the unprepared
comes winter in autumn’s wake