Political Differences

It happened slowly I understand that now we were walking side-by-side and something caught your attention, so you moved to look, or maybe, listen turning to pick it up, perhaps and then, continuing on your way toward, whatever it was … Continue reading

Petal Points

Roses boast variety, scent and color
begging notice of their soft, velvet petals
inspiring sonnet and soliloquy
with reverent grace from bud to bloom
they demand attention.

Zinnias are more raucous and easy going
no crowding the air with fragrance
they arrive like a circus, in row upon row
of cheerful and sturdy brightness
never stingy, easy bounty.

Roses lift their delicate heads above sharp thorns
easily falling prey to black spot, mildew and virus
dislike wet feet, may be sunburned
wither in shade, fine but finicky
with a needy attitude.

Zinnia seeds, tossed in any type of soil
shoot up with merry abundance
like tiny balloons over a sea of green
followed by more and more that rise up
through rain or scorching sun.

Roses adorn regal tables in poised portraits
hushed against rich, velvet curtains
near wine-full goblets and polished silver
drinking from cut-crystal vases
exhaling into the filtered air.

Zinnia stems fit easily in tiny hands
shoved in bouquets, alongside roadside chicory
carried like pirates’ treasure
beneath mud-smeared and smiling faces
offering them up with wet kisses and laughter.

Oh please, let me be a Zinnia!

And Now You Know

If you think that I’ve forgotten you’re wrong. A mother will never forget the tiny fist that rested in the center of her chest reaching for more. For once it has fallen between her breasts and relaxed into a bundle … Continue reading

Sonnet for 2022

Sonnet for 2022 To sing of loss, redemption, love and hate, while tidal waves arise, collapse and flood. Recovery comes, though some proclaim “too late” and green shoots sprout, defiantly, from mud. Life’s universal song, creation’s tune, resounds with random … Continue reading

Elegy for Michael P. (B.September 7, 1941 – D. August 3, 2020)

Of late, I wake at night, converse with air our constant ruminations carry on we may debate each day from dusk ‘til dawn, since now your residence is everywhere. Your lyric voice like Gabriel’s trumpet sounds though muses rouse, then … Continue reading

The male cardinal outside my window at 5:43am

seems depressed. His usual courting call ending in a rapid, repetitive note tuit-tuit-tuit-tuit-tuit-it-it-ititititit is now short, by more than half. He never arrives at the final flourish his pièce de résistance his pleading, staccato insistence for a mate tuit-tuit-tuit-tuit resigned … Continue reading