9. Umbrella

40 days & 40 nights.
Without Relent.
But we’re here.
Safe & Sound.
Sheltered.
Shaded.
Sure.

5/14/19

12. Storms

Wind creaking in the attic.
Rain tapping on the sill.
Thunder shakes the floor.
Day like night;
this darkness is nothing.
nothing
to the lightning
in her eyes.

5/14/19

14. Curtains

hair behind an ear
Soon Slips –
a shield for two eyes
and everything beyond.
Eventually, you Learn.
first ponytails.
then braids.
barettes.
Pulling Back
curtains
from the light within.

5/14/19

11. Sunflowers

Bright Sunburst
captured on a cloudy
day. You turn
your face –
Follow the Light –
its unchanging
path – across the sky.
Your blank complexion
and sunny disposition
Hold the Secrets
of wisdom.

5/11/19

10. Bodies

Vessels brought them
to celestial terrain.
Steel hulls
with precious contents
seeking new worlds.
Faster than light—
spreading our sight—
filling the dark
shapes on the map.

5/10/19

8. Pranks

The God of All Trickery Laughs
and feeds on our foibles and gaffes.
Our reason he’ll halt.
He yawns, we default.
True facts, we’ve been played just for laughs.

5/10/19

7. Salty

a bitter burn
on shriveled tongue.
rising bile.
turned shoulder.
left to dust
and ruin.
praying for solution—
dilution—
Brother, can you spare
a cup
of water.

5/9/19

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

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