Category: freedom

  • Unmoved

    (a poem for Trans awareness day) in an overgrown garden half-hidden in the weeds a concrete statue of Mary stands unmoved and alone a point of meditation long forgotten the sun shines through the clouds in subtle pinks, blues and green lichen illuminates her face clouds return to block the sun her kindness gives me…

  • Slapstick

    11/05 – some call me Polly Anna, because I am still an optimist – it’s only a part-time avocation ————————————————- Buster Keaton turned slapstick into an art form, Excuse me while I go hurt myself and Try to walk away oblivious to pain Humor is only allowed, if you laugh at yourself Just another form…

  • A free meal is never free

    barking dog welcomes daylight lone bird calls in the bush …failure to communicate a fenced animal cannot understand freedom It only wants to be set free 10-1-23

  • Tanka of wet grass

    clear, clean morning air last night’s rain still drips from trees yellow bus brakes grind sullen children go to school childhood stolen chained to chairs 9-13-23

  • Draw Two

    stray dog drags its chain, stands warily at a distance, tail wags like the metronome on Mrs. Crooks’ piano you edge close, grab the end of the chain dog barks, growls and charges you stand firm, jerk its chain it lays obediently at your feet, whimpers, the dog guides you up the street, stops at…

  • The exile

    unaffected by its lack of freedom songbird sings from its cage hanging on a hook In the corner you doze in the lap of 21st century luxury unwilling to sing because you feel uncomfortable 6-23-23

  • This is how it ends

    like storm litter on the ground you’ll give up trying to hang on wind will push you from your perch someone will come and haul you away maybe you’ll rot in a landfill maybe you’ll ascend In fire pit smoke either way, when your time comes you’ll release your grip and flee 5-1-23

  • Anatomy of a wave

    She walks two sets of dogs each morning, rarely smiles or says a word in passing, waves from across the pond. You wonder how many emotional and physical acts of misogyny she has endured to bring her to this point and resolve to respect her downcast eyes and silence in passing and wave back from…

  • Intercalary days

    Today is a day for giving of gifts a time before the fast before the new year solstice. Chickens cackle in their cage, birds call back and forth in trees. I imagine them comparing the freedom of the woods and the safety of a restrained life. I have known both and long for safety, when…