Category: Family
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untitled Ridvan poem
in the deepest trench of the ocean drops that once fell upon the tops of the highest mountains still retain memories of the sun 4-28-21 (Today is the Baha’i holy day, The 9th Day of Ridvan and during prayer this came to me.)
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Queuing at the Door, or, A Prayer for Bob Hinkle
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by
1) Fold your hands, bow your head, Shut your eyes and pray I would try, but no one said how to pray Just how to act like praying I wanted to know where to go, how many Steps to take, how many doors to open 2) Dad would get angry, If you cheated and opened…
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Hair tonic for men
Sunday morning rituals Polished shoes, dark socks, Dress pants, shirt, tie, Wear your damn belt, Comb that rat’s nest Go back and part your hair Do something with your cowlick You wanted Brylcreem “a little dab’ll do ya” But Dad used Vitalis Hair Tonic for Men He was bald on top You knew why he…
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Haiku Meditation on a Sunday Morning Sitting by the Remains of Last Night’s Fire with a Cup of Coffee Watching Birds in the Park Across the Street at Sunrise
1) Sunday morning shoes canvas loafers don’t need shined Dad would not approve 2) ash remembers fire when flames don’t stay the night trees filter morning 3) crow stares with one eye red birds forage for breakfast jays flash blue on green 4-18-21
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Stopping to feast along a gravel road
1) Rancid meat only vultures crave; they never wait their turn to tear flesh from bones of what remains. I slow down to avoid interrupting the feast and wonder, if vultures eat vulture roadkill or leave it for the crows. 2) On my office shelf sits mom’s old schoolbook, 101 Famous Poems, copyright 1929. Sometimes,…
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well water
This morning, I remember a dipper full of water from the well that stood in my grandparents’ yard that waited for me to visit, pump into a pail, carry inside and fill the basin that sat under the slant of stairs in their kitchen. I don’t remember discussions of germs on a shared dipper only…
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Faith
You never knew you were afraid of heights until you had to walk across that bridge. Don’t look down. Look up. Say, yes, believe; take the first step. The abyss is powerless to stop you 3-17-21
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morning haikus at daughter’s kitchen table
chickens cluck in coop cat cries at granddaughter’s door cuddles her awake in an urban zoo kindness is learned behavior bunny waits its turn coffee cuts the chill long shadows on woody ground trees and sun collage 3-12-21
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spring cleaning
I slept in this morning, because Mom kept trying to contact me from her grave Pulling me back into a dream Laying on the guilt Something about Lent And spring cleaning the kitchen Dad was calling out Alice, leave the boy alone Turn out the light and come to bed But mom kept knocking at…
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Alice and Chester
Lately, my parents have appeared in my dreams young from before I was born I wonder if they dream of me or dream of a better son Who didn’t push limits get in trouble and grew up to be rich and successful They seemed happy unencumbered by children with dreams of post-war America and prefab…
My husband's poetry 