two hands
to hold or to have
with the trees as our witness,
ask,
for the sparrows that record our song
Read More »
The Captain
He’s thin as a rail with this equally thin
yet deceptively puffy, oversized jacket-
navy, that
he never removes.
He’s also got a farmer’s hat
with secret script written round the rim.
He never removes this,
save for in prayer.
He claims that he’s an alien.
Firsts, Lovers, and Loves
I gave you compliments like flowers,
poured my attention on you like frankincense and myrrh,
stayed in your eyes like they were worth more than your crimes and awkwardness combined-
I chose you, and I made you mine.
So though I never loved you, I loved you first.Read More »
The Tree
There’s a tree which grows on the side of the road.
It stands not alone, nor hidden at the heart of an enchantied woodland.
Ordinary and unassuming, it meekly joins the scattered foliage dotting the local park.
Pass this plant on your trek to work, and notice how you don’t notice it at all.
Listen as it asks no attention of you. Feel the stagnant air as the modest tree
makes no attempt to draw you in. Its aura keeps to itself, taking only the space that its bark requires.
Pass the tree again, however, as you head back home to the warmth of blankets,
the delight and safety of lying down. Pass the tree when the night has fallen, when the sun itself has fallen too.
When You Leave
You will relax into the safety. Your biological rhythms will sort themselves out.
You will become so happy. You’ll gush with excitement
then begin to see how strange it sounds to be so grateful for peace.
Hearing your laugh, you’ll almost think you now take survival for granted.
Eye of the Hurricane
She throws me curveballs and crises like they’re tree limbs,
car parts, and siding that’s gotten ripped off.
She bats astonished eyes at me, says I never flinch.
I glance past her to all I’ve juggled before-
Lost keys, new jeeps, holes in walls, illegal rides,Read More »
she keeps throwing around the term abuse
It was, of course, after the pastor said
that emotional memory can make up details that seem to fit the feeling we felt,
and after you confided in me all about your power to cave-
how you are her sane and grace, while she’s stuck irrational,
but you understand- because I understand! I always understand.
Read More »
Counterproductivity (feat. in Amphora Magazine)
Only five times each day, I play like my bed frame
is a tweed lounge seat, my shelf is a welcome desk,
you are my friend by choice, and things are like they used to be-
You here to pay attention like you would have better things to do,
if it weren’t for the fact that I am your best.
Behind closed doors, I mime conversation with transparent friend,
all for imagined your strong, silent type observance.
This poem wasn’t supposed to be embarrassing, but I am
Read More »
one-way streets
You’re walking on eggshells, and everything you do to try to make it better backfires,
since some people don’t want to be satisfied.
Vindictive vendettas taken out on you,
like some people need something to be mean to,
and if they see you as a person, you can’t be their thing,
so they call you a problem and use you for their pain,
when their hate is their own fault,
and there’s nothing you can do
to make someone understand what they choose not to-Read More »
Gracia
And grace
slapped me
across the face
and I didn’t know
what to do
with it.
I tried to give it back ‘cuz I didn’t want it,
but, oh, grace knew me better than that.
I tried to give it back ‘cuz I didn’t deserve it,
but grace knew herself well as well.
The skin on my cheeks started
tingling,
burning-
sudden, foreign,
strange,
“Make it stop!”
But we can’t make such strength do nothing,
and grace was after me,
so I ran, but, oh, it was before me too-
Alpha, Omega,
“I am that I am”.
Alphabet Ravine 