Category: Death & Afterlife
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Dog day dancer
This morning, I found you Body art by Cezanne Trying to tap dance The bottom of the sky I turned you over with a stick You turned back to dancing Where no floor exists I listened as you called In the middle of the night In shadows of daylight Singing in trees Did you find…
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Buffalo sauce
I sip water to wash away The taste of Buffalo sauce in my mouth I thought I liked it, but I don’t Maybe, it is better to eat grilled tenders plain Than contaminate my breath with Chemicals mixed with food coloring Lately, everything takes like metal What that means I don’t know Maybe, I’m sick,…
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For my cousin, Tammy
twelve hours through mountains close by the river that drains a continent a brood of geese gather to say goodbye to the blue heron that waded the shallows I sit on my porch wishing I could journey over this eastern divide sit among the geese remember the blue heron before I migrate home 7-19-21
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nothing personal
If I don’t call back It’s nothing personal You see I have an appointment with death I’ve turned off the ringer On my phone I don’t want reminders disturbing My nap or planning my day It doesn’t mean I don’t care It just means I’m busy Leave a voice mail Or short text If it’s…
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wool gathering at 4am
I thought I saw you across the room sitting alone in your hat. I tried to catch your eye, but you never looked up. I pushed back my chair to go over, say hello and ask about mom, When I realized you’re four years gone, you got up and left without finishing your meal. 7-1-21
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Walking meditation with Thich Nhat Hanh
1) moss comes green on the morning after rain halfway to your destination not wanting to crush haploid to diploid dance you stand paralyzed 2) a crow lands on a limb above your head shakes chill water from leaves you continue on in a village of plums bloom words “each mindful step, reminds us that…
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haiku for fallen pears
under the pear tree lie half-eaten fruit…..above chatter fat squirrels 6-13-21
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The heron
The brood of geese that waits for a lady with a black dog to spread stale bread along the bank don’t know what the heron sees staring alone knee deep into still waters. Your aunt said your cousin likes to talk with a girl in a picture that hung on her bedroom wall, so they…
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what about dead fish?
water drowns city noise a sign says, Alligators May Live Here plastic snake, ziploc baggie small stuffed bear and pieces of driftwood on the shore turtles sunbathe on rocks long-legged birds stalk the rapid edge butterflies flit around dead fish 6-4-21
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Homeward bound
The day before, the day before The day before, yesterday I found you staring up at the sun On the side of the road Neck stretched, arms and legs splayed Everything you owned on your back Shell crushed flat. Hungry birds had not found you And flies had not come yet To lay eggs in…
