6. Weight

They go down to the water
carrying clay pots.
dip and lift
dip and lift
Life runs down their arms
in rivulets to the river.
The jars are slick when they return.
Each vessel
faithfully carried.
They have not dropped one
yet.

5/7/19

4. Red Lips

Red lips – Red lips!
Painted with glee
Red lips decree
that you are free!

Futile – the eyes –
claiming ownership –
Done with the Shackles –
Done with the Whip!

Held captive in Hell
No – now see!
Strong beyond bonds – for good –
Is she!

5/5/19 See Wild nights – Wild nights! by Emily Dickinson

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3. Doughnut

How many donuts
will fill
this breach?
A sugary pile
of guilt-gifts
only rots.
Cut back
the ragged edges
of the outer wall.
And make passage
out of breach,
to go unto
dear friends
once more.

5/5/19

2. Stars

the lights of camden across
the way blot out the stars
(or maybe it’s just low cloud cover)
ribbons of silver on black
shimmering waves
wind on water
sending chills—
—only skin deep
bass rumbles
deckboards underfoot
and I’m glad that I’m sad.

It’s a beautiful night.

5/3/19

1. Running

An even pace that never errs,
the reassuring rhythm drums
gently from the mantlepiece.
Driven by the unseen gears,
behind a blank, unseeing face,
steady constant slips your ears—
until kept time runs out.

4/30/19