My husband's poetry

Category: Family

  • A father’s vigil

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    All these people each one rides elevator up each one worried each one wishes they could lay on hands remove pain heal broken bodies In dim light by her bed you stand watch quiet offer silent prayers conjure magic wish you could take her pain as yours 12-21-20

  • Rainy day

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , , , ,

    Rain in yard, coffee on porch, Friend on phone Says hello, how are you? We talk of family, of health, Of vaccines, Grandiose post-COVID plans Last leaves launch in air In seven days Write fears on paper Consign in Solstice fire Happy Hanukkah Merry Christmas, and Kwanza, too 12-14-20

  • pressed cider

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , , , ,

    Mom had a friend from church who had a friend who had a cousin who sold fresh pressed cider in gallon jars at the end of his lane along the river road; she would buy a jug or two for cold evenings for a hot drink while watching Lawrence Welk. One weekend, she sent me…

  • Gray hat

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , , ,

    Dear Mom, today is cold. I stand in the chill where the sun breaks through trees to sip coffee. Most mornings, I throw a handful of keto granola for a brave mockingbird that busily gathers it up next to me. It reminds me of you and how you always bustled about your kitchen. A brown…

  • meditation on a leaf

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , , ,

    …..watch leaf detach drift to ground …..ask daylight to replay the moment …..exhausted unencumbered by connection to past …..leaf releases hold leaps into abyss …..inaudible to ears a gasping sound 12-8-20

  • Tercet in Black

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    A decade or so ago I met three high school students young black girls ready to burst I shared the stage, heard them read, become what I am not Removed from seeding pots, they went to college; roots need room to grow I catch glimpses on social media, they don’t need another unasked for opinion…

  • Evolution of an artist

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    She laid in bed at night and complained , something is wrong with our child; her genetic donor rolled over and muttered, go to sleep tomorrow, we will fix its flaws _____ Norms mutate They don’t know why They just do _____ Grocery shoppers eat the beautiful, avoid bruised fruit Chuck, evolution doesn’t care about…

  • rain check

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , , , ,

    Thanksgiving Day rain, lone bird sings in woods Siren calls in distance Watch out! We’re coming through! Everyone is staying home Empty seats in the living room Be safe, be healthy, be happy Thanksgiving Day rain drips from trees COVID canceled traditions Family gatherings on Zoom Family recipes homogenized and fortified 19th century dashes and…

  • Roots

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    You rise You stretch You exercise You sip coffee in the park You talk with dog walkers You dig roots in your yard You talk with a sister about health and family You set down the shovel You sit on the porch and rest, because roots exhaust you 11-23-20

  • Dad

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    Last visit home photo of our sitting before I raced back To count your last breaths, I wonder what you may have thought of saying. But didn’t, because holding it inside was who you were 11-22-20