Our complex geography of stone arches crossing caverns of quiet (broken sharply by the morning crunch of cereal, clang of spoon on bowl), my heart twangs, it sometimes tears in the We of many weathers. An old house holds us in slanting light, two more in the heritage line of straight-faced lovers side-by-side at the … Continue reading We of Many Weathers
Interment Review
The small cardboard box, collaged artfully by a niece -enclosed the last of Joe, his large bones crushed to ash. Words spoken by his sister, his nephew, reflected on his keen memory for dates and places, travel, family history, and his love and insistence for piping hot coffee. Under the oaks and next to his … Continue reading Interment Review
EarthDay
I Remember your last birthday? We celebrated you on Resurrection Sunday as you, too, had been brought back from the brink to love us again. II Once I lay down in sweetgrass still enough to feel sparrow’s wings brush my cheek- so still I heard wild violets untuck then nod to the sun. III We … Continue reading EarthDay
Emily Dickinson Remake
Crumbling is not an instant's Act (1010) BY EMILY DICKINSON CRUMBLING IS NOT AN INTANT’S ANGST(follow up to April 21) Crumbling is not an instant's angst dilapidation's processes are organized decays A fundamental pause on the Soul First cob web Cuticle of Dust A Borer in the Axis An Elemental Rust Ruin is formal devil's … Continue reading Emily Dickinson Remake
Angst
Hangs on dark hooks around the room. Drips in rivulets along the side of the old coop. Peels the paint. Tatters attic walls where rain comes in. We thought we’d fixed it all last year. We thought we plugged holes to keep critters outside. It rises a choking sludge with the water. Reminds us of … Continue reading Angst
FireWear
Look, you say standing near the ash of another fallen empire the riverbed rocks show footprints wavering in the fevered air and most things too hot to touch. But you’re outfitted. cool and shiny in your anti-thermal radiation Onsie. People walked barefoot once, you think, and call out to your buddy: Hey, check this out … Continue reading FireWear
Jonny Quest
Jonny Quest got me thinking early about invisible monsters. The ones you cannot see but lurk and moan deep inside beckoning caves, that can only be made visible by luring them closer to light or dousing with a bucket of paint or snaring in a camp blanket. I was four and impressionable. I was scared … Continue reading Jonny Quest
For Mr. W
I looked around the sanctuary and Just couldn’t recognize a soul today Kept eyes forward Listened for My own Name tucked deep among Other stories from every Person you touched Quietly over the years Reached back for Something you said Trouble you Understood Very Well. Xenial, You always were, and Zero-Hour 9 am. About your … Continue reading For Mr. W
Deadnettle
I drive east to Ohio in springtime past miles of once-grey fields suddenly blushing waves of purple. Deadnettle, Henbit, splashes of yellow Butterflower burst forth in the low areas just as in the distance hardwood Maples and Poplars, leaf emerald lime against the bones of dying Ash. All is an impressionist painting blur. Study in … Continue reading Deadnettle
Breadcrumbs
Recent talk of fairy tales reminds me of my affection for witchery, the seductive darkness of a crow-like laugh, black, feathered shoulders, the boney hand extended in offering that, even as a child, you know means to snatch you and throw you into an oven or well. Wellsprings of virtue in the suffering of girls … Continue reading Breadcrumbs
Early Morning Poems 