I learned sighs in the kitchens of my childhood along with towel flicks, food fights, and stern instruction to dry a glass again to remove evil water spots or anything else the night’s dish washer had missed. Do it again was my mother’s hovering mantra. Dad just got overwhelmed. As head chef most holidays, he … Continue reading day 6 -Breath Before Grace
Day 2-Roads, I’ve Written Them
Shouldered a futon all the way from The Bowery to Brattleboro Left my high heels in a box by an alley door, saved myself From bunions – and probably more Times when the compass pointed east I looked west and wondered Ticket on a table, I said No thanks Rainbow Room, moonlight swim, panty hose, … Continue reading Day 2-Roads, I’ve Written Them
Old Trees, Level Distance
Based on an 11th Century Landscape by Guo Xi NaPoWriMo 2021 Preview Prompt: Ekphrasis Friend, I’ll meet you on the bridge In the mist shall we walk together? Last year we were young when we said goodbye Now our hands resemble twisting branches You stoop where once you stood tall, jacket threads trailing My hair, … Continue reading Old Trees, Level Distance
April 30 Return
It comes back around The April Rain The letter I mailed last week without an address by strange degrees: my memories My children grown to versions of myself Our voices back and forth on the telephone Is that me? Is it you? Our quiet Mornings These diseases that confound and disrupt an entire turning world … Continue reading April 30 Return
April 28 The Corner Room Upstairs
A wall slants overhead Cabbage rose, water stained my ears ache hot against a cool cotton pillowcase in this slim single bed its knotted white coverlet walnut lamp–stand where Mama's grandmother Martha kept her teeth in a cup that now holds a glass of water a yellow thermometer. A jar of Vicks Vapo-Rub Mentholates the … Continue reading April 28 The Corner Room Upstairs
April 26 Almanac
Dear Mother, the rain is soft this dark morning. Our little dog breathes roughly on the couch. This house, in stairsteps is a dream I’ve had of climbing to nowhere, afraid of nothing, everything broken glass between us, elaborate gates to the halls of wisdom somewhere in the vanishing -line view up the way. Our … Continue reading April 26 Almanac
April 25 Glad For The Sound Of Another Voice
These hard times shut down –open up. “Thank you, Thank you and have a nice day.” So much Loving Kindness, of grieving safety. I’ve missed the sound of a stranger’s voice. I recognize unabashed gratitude and something like shame rises, with the aching need to ask for what is needed, the sound of a voice … Continue reading April 25 Glad For The Sound Of Another Voice
April 24 In Teresa’s Orchard
In Teresa’s Orchard Only two trees remain in the old apple orchard but buckets & sieves, a press, wooden pestle mashers, evidence of bygone industry nearby You cannot imagine your Victorian Grandmother would have tolerated much hooch for the household. But maybe. Who knows? Winesaps, pippins, northern spy, the trees Were there before the people … Continue reading April 24 In Teresa’s Orchard
April 23 Q
Odd little curly-Q with its hook, its running leg torn fingernail Jewelry clasp Eyelash letter of nobility and outcasts oddkins and originals 10 point Scrabbler # 17 threads the eye of the needle wags its tail a friend of U K’s cousin jewel in the crown Mistress of all Questions.
April 21 Found in Translation
(excerpt from Estonian poet Hasso Krull) Öö on täis auke. Need vilguvad, plingivad, helgivad, aknad öös ja aknad taevas, olemise aknad ja aknad ilma olemise vajaduseta. Seisame trepil ja teeme suitsu. Sigaretitäpid on liikuvad aknad, liikuvad augud, ilma leegita tuli ja meil on vaja siin trepil olla. Found in Translation Oh this awakening, so good … Continue reading April 21 Found in Translation
Early Morning Poems 