Thursday, May 21, 2015

Resting in the cool of dusk

Resting in the cool of dusk 

under the porch 
in the swing by the pool --
nothing quiet,
everything a riot of crick
and creak and whine.
Who knew such tiny things
could moan and click
so loud? The lowing cow,
the cawing crow,
that hootie hoo hoo 
in the woods 
over and over 
until dusk itself 
hovers then grows wings,
whose soft brush in flight
fills with hush 
the night.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind 

Supposedly, there's an eye
in the middle of the forehead --
third eye, chakra, blind.
I wish I could open that one
and the ones in the back of my head,
feel my way, steel myself
instead of fighting currents.
I would flow on streams of knowing
gliding forward, kicking back.


It has been a long time since I have written, and it feels like I have been just carried along blindly, letting things just happen. It's almost as if I've abdicated. Writing this helped me see that I have to find my flow...and kick back.

Monday, March 2, 2015

cleaning adolph's tub

This poem is inspired by the photo at The Mag, Tess Kincaid's weekly poetry prompt.



cleaning adolph's tub

what can wash 
                      the grit
from this man's tub

bits of bone float 
                          porous

but abrasive rub

drains fill 
             with ash 
and teeth

even the pipes 
                         shriek

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Some things I've learned about leaving

Some things I've learned about leaving

If it's by choice
There is no mercy.
They'll split your chest
And cut apart your heart,
Pull out and read your guts;
Everything they look for is corruption.

A kinder method is
From sudden going.
The factory's moving to another town,
Your section's shutting down.
As long as you don't want to,
They will miss you
While they clear your things away.

Any leaving's better 
than the absence of leaving
Where you are sitting there,
Your motions only gestures
Breathing air.
Every wish they have 
Comes down to mercy:
Please just let you go.
They'd put a pillow to your face 
If they could do it 
And celebrate your passing
With a cheer.