Sunday, March 29, 2009

A Walk in the Park

The track of the deer
call of the loon
whirr of geese
water lapping at snow
warm winter sun
silence and laughter
still slow summon of spring

Friday, March 6, 2009

Lost

There it is again
I click the URL field and forget
Why. Where am I going?

I get to the room, look around
I see nothing to enlighten me
as to how I got there
what drew me

Is this my fate  Suspended
forever on the margins
of memory
Is it starting?

Time to say my goodbyes
now while I remember
whom it is
I love

Monday, March 2, 2009

Where I'm From

I am from Ozarks, from Quaker Oats and hard work.
I am from the rough-and-tumble;

ill-fitting hand-me-down boots
unbuckled and dripping on the lino.

I am from the cicada's nighttime buzzing;
flowering mimosa and stifling humidity.

I am from singing grace and debating opinion,
from Frank and Eva and too many lives cut short.

I'm from the Show Me State, from singing and laughter,
warm cinnamon rolls and juicy watermelon.

From 8 brides for 7 brothers, the gifted grandpa,
and the dad who made an RV from a hearse.

I am from boxes of Kodak slides,
record albums piled in dusty corners,

the unpublished poem book, the praying mamma
and sticky caramel memories not yet unwrapped.