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Tis The Season (Poem)
this place is shouting louder than ever
commands in a language that is not my own
celebrate this right now right here (or else)
who would not want to join in the festivities
hymns carol in stores and restaurants
a red-suited jolly old figure greets all at town hall
ornamented trees stand in public spaces, even on a theater roof
a themed parade shuts down Main Street and scares my dog
attendance is optional this year; what about next
red green and white everywhere alongside red white and blue flags
now mandatory for homes vehicles businesses
the air thinner than ever for those who are otherwise
it’s getting harder to breathe
-
The Alchemy Of Being Seen (Poem)
when I travel the rough paved roads
ones faced by metal doors and delivery docks
I no longer stumble on the broken curbsides
my gait undone by my broken heart
once I grieved on those back corners
cried in the rain so no one saw my tears
unexpected strangers shared my burden
let their hearts break open with mine
these exchanges proving prior connection
subterranean tug and flow of outpoured love
drew away selfish cold isolation
ceaseless buffet of harsh afflictions
now I carry in my pockets bits of sorrow
transformed by compassion’s embrace
drop them among the rocks on the street
reminders of level kinship between us
no I no you no they no we
and always the memory of her luminous smile
his gentle welcoming gaze
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Two Paintings (Poem)
two oil paintings with a familiar signature
the artist a familial friend
now they rest in a stranger’s garage
thrown carelessly against some boxes
to him they mean nothing
to me they are so much more
warm salty air and a peculiar swampy fug
a studio perched on the edge of a gulf bluff
the path overhung by mossy cypress trees
a refuge offering magic to a hungry child
