Forever

We made promises long ago
but the rush of currents near the waterfall
formed a vortex below the rocks
threatened to take us down into the caves
underneath the waterline
where rescuers couldn’t hear our screams
tossed into the churning waters of mistrust
thrust upon the ragged edges of doubt
strangled with the weeds of jealousy
slammed against the bottom of despair
struggled to release the fear
grasped onto the branch of hope
we let love buoy us to the top
to keep the promises we made so long ago.

Remnants From Lost Love

Neatly folded in the corner of the closet
remnants of a wedding dress,
baby blankets, curtains for the bedroom,

brightly colored cloth and scraps of ribbon
assembled and nearly forgotten
in the quiet darkness of the armoire

Children all grown and moved away
nothing from the husband but a photograph
in a frame with broken glass.

It is time to discard these reminders
of earlier times when laughter was rare
and tears ready to fall

with a word, or look, the smell of alcohol
an aggressive push against the bedroom chest
the sudden crash when the picture fell.

Job Security

Get it for me, I need it now.

Cancel your plans there’s a deadline

You don’t have time to be sick
we have an important meeting.

Take some pills and I’ll meet you at 10:00 -
we can go over the draft for the presentation.

A raise? I don’t think so.


I can’t do it now, I’m busy.

No, my vacation plans have been set since last November.

I’ve made a doctor’s appointment my health is too important.

The presentation is done I’ve sent it e-mail.

If you can’t pay me for my work
then there’s no overtime.


There’s a mandatory meeting on the top floor
Some think layoffs will be announced.


I beg your pardon, what did you say?
I’ll get things done then I'm on my way.

Mud Pies

Mud pies are best made after a storm
they must be the right consistency,
red clay mixed with rain water,
enough to stick together,
to be served throughout the day.
Adorn with the pollen from hollyhocks.
Keep damp with a small spray bottle,
perfect with a small cup of tea.

Recipes for fantasy are invented
without limitation, all one needs
is an active imagination,
a few friends to participate,
and lots of time without interruption.
Props help, but are not necessary,
a gesture with the pinky finger up high,
shows a cup to all passers-by
but the mud pies have to be real
sticks can be used for silverware.

There will be no fighting at the table,
no complaints to the cook,
a single serving should be sufficient.
Place your napkin on your lap,
use your knife or a fork.
Cut it into bites size pieces
but remember it’s only make-believe
so don’t eat it, you might choke.

Circles

I'm going around in circles
like a child on a summer’s day,
twirling with arms outstretched
trying to catch the sun.

Why do square dancers go in circles
but round pegs can’t fit in square holes?
My whole life’s a circle, sunrise, sunset,
circles, rings, loops, wheels,
form a circle play a game,
Ring Around A Rosies … London Bridges Falling Down

I’ve been going around in circles
like a chicken with it’s head cut off,
no focus, no purpose, no idea my life is over
and all that’s left is this erratic dance,
running ‘round and round.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
endings bring new beginnings
my whole life's a circle
spring, summer, fall, winter

The Telescope

Daisies wilt in summer heat
evenings too hot to stay indoors
climb in the van and drive to the hills
away from the urban lights.

The city below sparkles like jewels,
while up in the sky,
Venus and Mars twinkle.
Constellations reveal themselves
along the milky way.

We pull out dad’s old telescope -
moonscapes and other details
hidden from our eyes back home
reveal themselves in the jet black sky.
Dad points out the moons of Jupiter
and the rings of Saturn too.

We take in the view of other worlds.
Our son smiles and says,
“Thanks, this is more fun than T.V.”
our daughter tilts back her head and howls.

The telescope pointed out to space
brings us together and makes us realize
we are all part of a much bigger universe.

My Brother’s Smile

Michael Jackson news is everywhere
so much distortion in an effort to conform
to what the media or he imagined the public wanted.

In the early years when his skin was brown,
his ‘fro cropped close, and his nose still broad
his dreamy eyes captured the camera
but when he smiled those perfect teeth
a half cocked grin, made you think,
he alone knew the joke …

so much like my brother’s smile.

While my brother, Jess was in school
he got in trouble, my parents were called,
he insisted he was innocent
but the nuns responded, “It’s that smirk,
we know he tried to get away with something.
He must understand it's not a joke.”

Jess was smart but his skin was dark
he was easy to overlook except when there was someone
to blame then he got it twice as often.

How seriously can you take a person with a rakish grin
pressed against your sense of what is right and wrong
and if they’re talented - even more suspicious
an unsolvable puzzle to be admired, feared and deconstructed.