Hope

Speak truth slowly, breathe
life into hope into yes
even me, to live
not yet die, will moves forward
into another summer

Tradition

Across the street, boys
smoke pot. Hugs her violin
case, waiting. School bus
is late. Again. Taps her toe.
Strange tradition, this waiting.

Stillness

stillness incarnate

watching, waiting,

red patience

notice me, please

A happy Christmas burden

Reckless knives: a six-part drama

Your word blade cuts my
heart, lips no more to speak, but
I'm sorry, so lost

Shame is a dull blade
sharpen your knife, baby
cut me loose

Sharpen blade, cut
open vein, let truth bleed red:
You're still not here

Spend recklessly, horn
in where you don't belong, leave
footprints on my life

I stare, relentless:
your face – oh, that face – imprints;
can't believe you're here.

I must say something
reckless and pointless and true:
never leave me, please

(The poem above came together as a result of responding to #haikuchallenge and #haikuwordgame prompts on twitter, then piecing them all together. An interesting little experiment in poetic fiction.)

Advent

Barely aware, we
wait for you like soiled winter
for clean snowcover

Worry, guilt, anger,
distraction: I set aside
and wait. I'm waiting.

Tree of life, light, hope
drops a leaf to spare us all.
Pages bleed story.

It's all about one
death defying act of birth.
Yes, I still believe.

Date

A mommy-son date:
French fry, salty offering
of companionship
dropped in the void between seats.
"Try again, Mom." Simple faith.