Today the time divides equally, half & half,which is what I like in my tea with a little sugar.It has a deeper flavor than milk,and autumn a deeper flavor than spring,since it brings to mind a returning time,reaching down and in,a time for calling everything backto enjoy the goodness of a new harvestunder golden lamplight.Continue reading “Equinox”
Tag Archives: poem
Roses
I never promised you a rose garden.Or maybe I did, in a wild moment.I beg your pardon. In a moment of wine drunk abandon,idealism rising to foment:perhaps I promised you a rose garden. There are blossoms where thorns hardenaround my green-thumbed attempts:they too beg pardon. Broken shovels and rakes also burdena space ripe with weeds’Continue reading “Roses”
Surfaces
I wish I could float (with the clouds) not so much with but abovenot so much the earthbut my expectationsleaving them below likeunrecognizable neighborhoodsfrom an airplane windowa float full of nothingbut airy vacancylight as a unicorn onthe surface of a swimming poolclouds shining in the reflectionlike stolid trees on the façadeof a mountain lake ThisContinue reading “Surfaces”
The Darts of August
as the archer, you point arrows, fulfilling some sacred oathelastic and flying, half-transcendental,seeking mending from thistledown, they bloom brighter than merciless skiesfinding the line in the sand while seashells bleachand the 150 year old banyan tree tells how to withdraw a sword from a backyard stone This poem is a Cento, made from the workContinue reading “The Darts of August”
Buffalo
there’s something sacred about a canyonhow the land gave way to river powerwater’s carrying works will never be done some majesty gets measured by the tonlips that graze are busy every hourin their bones they understand the canyon acknowledging sacredness in actionwhere rainfall meets land, and time empowersthe water to carve and never be doneContinue reading “Buffalo”
Smokies, 2
Illusion hillssmoke signals further visionblanket memory, summer-warmconsciousness dreaminga boulder for a pillowbattling angelsto climb ladderseverything leaves a marklow-rounded, still-sacredsome of those illusionscarry ancient namessome of them carrythe bones of the sky I love how mountains fade into the distance, how it hardly seems real. This poem is the second one I wrote for the polaroidContinue reading “Smokies, 2”
Blue Beach
the boy doestricks the woman stands watchingthe sand is too foot-steppedto notice the camera makesthem all silhouettes watchingthe sand is everywhereplaying tricks This poem is a companion piece to the one I published on Tupelo Press’ website today for the August 30/30 Project. You can read the other poem (a villanelle) here: Guess who finallyContinue reading “Blue Beach”
Pinehurst
Golf townsand and spapines and pubscoddled traditions and legendsaround every corner My Grand-merealways spoke of azaleassparkles in her milky eyesand soft hands arounda pottery cup of chicory coffee another timeanother placeanother south This poem is a second one that I wrote for the photo, with the villanelle being shared on Tupelo Press’ website for thisContinue reading “Pinehurst”
Coffin House
Glass-eyed Narcissus hidingtoo tall for me to see himin his past place abiding The summer days go slidinga boat upon the pond skimsglass-eyed Narcissus hiding its deceptive depths, chidingobsession’s inviting grinin its sin-seat abiding What seeking brings is findingwith a cup full to the brimstill spy Narcissus hiding Hours confidently stridingdistances the kith & kinofContinue reading “Coffin House”
Pine
Padded quiet morning, herewhere life has barely thawed outthe birds wait to raise a cheer to summer. Sunshine appearswith warmth, flexing its new cloutin the padded morning. Here and there flying bugs appearbut the earth-dwellers have doubtsand birds wait to sound the cheer. Chased by needling cold fearspine doesn’t worry aboutmuch here, soaks up theContinue reading “Pine”
The Poetry Patio 