Tuesday, May 28, 2013

That Red


That red can't be a rose;
not yet. I know
pretender rhododendrons
are just spring
practicing for summer.

May 28 2013

Friday, May 17, 2013

Leash handling


Dog, the rangy creature,
pulls hard,
heedless of my hold upon the leash.
A good owner would never permit such liberties with the lead,
but that's what you get with a hound: a driven thing.
Is there a lesson here,
or is it just an id
imperfectly tethered to a fretful conscience?
Drop it for today; let him scent.
Be on your way to coffee.

May 17 2013

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Backyard Catch


It is a thing among things
to be able to play
in the backyard catch
with my children.

May 11 2013

Thursday, May 9, 2013

I Have Been To the Falling


I have been to the falling asleep
when it was truly like a falling
and I have received it much more rarely
like a blessing.
I have been to the waking up
when it was like dragging a chain from the ocean floor
and I have felt it much less often
spring from me like a singing bird.
You never know what you'll find behind those doors
tigers, princesses, or the old routine.
I never dream about coffee
and never when awake have I scratched behind the ears
of a large black bear
but in some respects the two states are the same.
I dream about and ride in elevators
and make phone calls
with uncooperative buttons that signal to me
a certain helplessness;
sometimes hitting fast forward
seems like a good way to go.
But the seed pearl is there
caught between the curb and the tired slush
if you look down at just the right instant
and I seem to remember
or was it a dream
last night waking
to the sound of rain.

May 9 2013