Month: April 2019

“Some People” – Day 10 of National Poetry Month

Some people wait for the perfect moment Like a runner ignoring the starting gun until the wind changes I ignore perfectly appropriate words Until assorted magic manifests I wait a lot I tap plenty of keys but mostly backspace Some people buy new clothes once they’ve reached their goal weight I work out when the … Continue reading “Some People” – Day 10 of National Poetry Month →

“To Feel Thin” – Day 9 of National Poetry Month

Tomorrow, to feel thin I will shower first thing in the morning And go immediately for a brisk thirty-minute walk, Followed by as many sit-ups as I can manage. Then I will shower again In cold water With the minty body wash that makes my skin explode. I will drink a half-glass of orange juice … Continue reading “To Feel Thin” – Day 9 of National Poetry Month →

“In My Bleak Midwinter” – Day 8 of National Poetry Month

Modeled after "A Christmas Carol" aka "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Christina Rossetti, 1872 In the bleak midwinter Burning sun made blaze; Earth cracked dry as corpses; Water lost to haze; Snow forgotten; snow, what snow? Frozen brow and nose In the tundra of winter lost Long, long ago. Our charge, heaven entrusted, Earth could … Continue reading “In My Bleak Midwinter” – Day 8 of National Poetry Month →

“However Many” – Day 7 of National Poetry Month

However many years without a way to feel We’ll be alright However many years without That guiding light Morning after morning, here I cry Another day, another try However many nights of failing There’s always more However many people hurt There will still be more Morning after morning turns to night And forgiveness passes by … Continue reading “However Many” – Day 7 of National Poetry Month →

“Headache” – Day 6 of National Poetry Month

Earplug and ibuprofen “But” “Oh” “Wait!” Blindfold and turn the light off “Clank” “Flick!” “Hey…” Now? Really? “Shuffle” “Step” “Step” “Creak” Two minutes… or twenty? “Flush” “Wash” “Gurgle” Blink. Searing. Screaming. Shredding. Maybe one more glass of water? Send an email. Write a poem. Close your eyes until this day (or life) is over. April … Continue reading “Headache” – Day 6 of National Poetry Month →

“Outside the House” – Day 5 of National Poetry Month

The path of bricks covered in dirt Beneath the bush beside our house Which stood on the left hand of town Never experienced love The iris garden less than twenty feet away Bloomed once a year and often Died before its life began Thanks to early warmth and a late freeze A tree in our … Continue reading “Outside the House” – Day 5 of National Poetry Month →

“Dreams and Dust” – Day 4 of National Poetry Month

Dreams and dust Dreams and dust And hours and hours alone Building and planning Planning and building Pacing the rooms, breathing in pain Labored Resting Stretched beneath a wild, sprawling ceiling Ten thousand tiles wider than remembered Staring, waiting, longing, dreaming Folding dust until it falls Stacked particles Statuesque collapsing Excited by a liquid Alive … Continue reading “Dreams and Dust” – Day 4 of National Poetry Month →

“Long-term Lust” – Day 3 of National Poetry Month

As shallow cuts that kisses draw in unprotected skin Cheeks as soft and vulnerable as fresh baked macaroons dread The affection I cannot resist expressing. Oh what pure and unreal terror of not impressing my flesh to your flesh, My tears to your taste, my embrace to your shivers. I count my days long without … Continue reading “Long-term Lust” – Day 3 of National Poetry Month →

“Shannon” – Day 2 of National Poetry Month

Shannon folds the laundry And dusts her make-up drawers. The floor in the kitchen bends beneath her sponge. Proud Shannon, glowing after midnight. Her pajamas and favorite sweaters Meet the same flannel standard. Shannon tries a coffee from another country. Her phone charges no faster when she checks it. Shannon plays the albums that impress … Continue reading “Shannon” – Day 2 of National Poetry Month →