Insomnia

Nightmares with sharp edges

inspire a sharp intake of breath
But it is the sweet dreams with
the soft, blurred lines and feelings
That truly haunt my waking hours. 

The flashes of a bliss and happiness
so impossibly far outside of my reach
Only reminds me of how much my heart 
continues to betray my waking mind.

Deconstruction

Kaleidoscope waves dance to the tune 

of salsa across still Spanish waters. 
Sherbet reflections of ticky tacky houses
remind me of an endless dream, a lullaby
distracting you from the jagged edges of
a reality residing thousands of miles away. 

A light pitter patter of neon feet scramble
to outrace the predators on the trail,
and the bubblegum pink flamingos take 
the time to run in the reeds before they fly. 
In the grand circle of life they understand
that you have to eat in order to survive. 

The warm embrace of the mangroves belies 
turbulent foundations of what you thought
was a column amongst stalactites, stalagmites,
but after further inspection, detailed introspection
you realize that the magic of an island can 
reside in the sun's relentless quest for exposure.