Steamer Trunk The gap in the ground yawned like a toothless mouth waiting for teeth waiting for the box of her bones aligned and perfumed like sundries in a steamer trunk. Her death certificate stamped like a passport in her pocket currency exchanged and shiny new pennies leveled on her closed eyes ready to go. How... Continue Reading →
A Tiger’s Game, Detroit, 08-07-06* for Pat and Mary Fifth, sixth, and seventh we sat in a row, like innings, siblings on bar stools we ordered tequila, rum and cold Canadian beer to cool us on our way down the unyielding call of memory lane Tiger fans roared behind us oblivious to August’s wet sun... Continue Reading →
Because June, for all of its weddings and graduations and summer celebrations, is also, for so many I know, a month to remember those we have lost, I decided to share an old favorite poem of mine. Both of my parents died in June. A dear friend's deceased son was born in June. There are... Continue Reading →
It is one of the absolute greatest pleasures in life to touch base with old friends after many years and to find the connection has not frayed or weakened as old wiring might do. Instead, the sparks all fire right on cue, and laughter, intelligence, and camaraderie ensue as they always had, as if no... Continue Reading →
From Across the Room I listened from across the room her giggles and secrets forcing my eyes to stay open so I could hear her make growing up sound as magic as the parade of perfume bottles Chantilly and Shalimar on her dresser, I unscrewed the shiny tops before school to smell my future and she never... Continue Reading →
Cardinal Directions Once upon a time, at a staff meeting, a colleague boasted (was it a boast?) that she didn’t know her directions. She rolled her eyes as if she was too busy to know such a thing, as if it was below her. I was struck by her pride in not knowing, and struck... Continue Reading →
April is Poetry Month. Poetry Challenge. Poem a Day. Nos 29 and 30. El Fin. Kiss Away May You put our kiss away tucked it in a drawer below rolled socks, old Valentines and a couple of quarters; underneath that newspaper with Bridget’s picture on it and your Boy Scout scarf. You put our kiss... Continue Reading →
April Is Poetry Month. Poem A Day Challenge. No. 28 Louder than the Hummingbirds Jill paid a surprise visit last night arriving with Jay, a bottle of wine a pile of poems and a cooling story about a guy from Alaska who couldn't meet her downtown after all. We sat in the twilight of early... Continue Reading →
April Poetry Month. Poem A Day. Challenge. No. 27 Could Be Just Another Lazy Morning in April Could be just another day in the life of the patient blue black bird his weight pulls down the pine bow he waves at me outside my window Could be just another climb for the eager red spider... Continue Reading →
Poetry Month. Poem A Day. No. 26 for the girls from decades ago As quiet as snow you arrive at my pillow frightened by the storms that jolt your elbows, that won't release you, they cloud your little girl soul My breath drapes you sill to ceiling back to infancy late night feedings... Continue Reading →
pocket poet 