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
Empty Mouth
This dandelion This daffodil clump This dying maple This brittle skin Empty mouth This humorless day This And not much play In me Days you want to quit The thing This thing And can’t even Make fun of Yourself or Take a ribbing Find a future In fuscia Look for a clue In the color … Continue reading Empty Mouth
Goliath; Knock Knock Who’s There?
This world is full of big men of ill intent and all us little guys unsure of ways to change our relationship, nonviolently. I say send each one to a large mirror. Place a neon yellow Post-it note on the glass. It’ll read: Hey Goliath (Goliath Who? He’ll say) Go lyeth down You looketh sick
Oh Dear, Poetry
What is it anyway? The faith that whatever occurs is as reasonable a thought as what does not. The looping lilt the loopy smile, a heavy lift on less inspired days. This, get-out-of-the-way but- stay- nearby- push and pull of lines that so want to be included but don’t quite belong. This tendency to storify … Continue reading Oh Dear, Poetry
Albeit
It was years ago, albeit (yucky frog word!) could have been yesterday your peer edit in the margins of his Joseph Conrad paper made me laugh out loud but I don’t think I’ve used the word ever in anything til now. And frankly, nobody uses it much these days. Or then. Come to think of … Continue reading Albeit
Early Morning Poems 