The Pianist
Władysław Szpilman in Warsaw
Music grows on wave crests.When the sails of sound are at half-mast,music breaks up into pebbles.Each soloist is a finger...
Change of Elevation
When we first moved here, birds—red-headed house finches, I believe,a family—twittering high up
in the blue spruce that hangsfrom the neighbor’s yard. You...
The Vision of Meribah
I Meribah,granddaughter of Amenemhat,beloved of Ishmael,recite my ancestors’ lessonsso that you, my child, may teach them to your own.
It is through...
Hollywood, Paris, Covid
We both had positive Covid tests aftercelebrating New Year’s Eve a few daysearlier. Her ex sent her a text saying hewasn't vaccinating...
PAIN
Incessantly demanding recognition
Like the penetrating ticking of a tightly wound clock
Is the knowing.
Knowing we shall not be,
Knowing, though I close the door
It will not...
Meuse I
Pron.: /ˈmjuz/
a depression leftin the grass, a shallowbowl, or profound,
a gap in the hedgethe hog trespassed, in otherwords, not the animal
but the space...
Remembrance
The sun sleepsIn the dirt, here.I am less smoke, more steam,The refreshing kind of bitter.
In the dirt, here,We’ll plant our feet and leave.The refreshing...
observant gravity
a sort of protestis underway performedin excellent style bythe superfluity of those who have ever beenbeloved by youwho beat with a hoop-stick against...
Suburban Spiritual
Someone plays “Amazing Grace”On a xylophone.Reverbs from the bombingsAdd percussion.
Unexpected heat drives many indoors,Even the crazy flying twin garage flags.Shadows hidden in showersBecome...
Rock Paper Scissors
Water.
water to rub rock smooth water to rust scissors shutwater to dissolve paper into nothingnessthen return it to the cannibal trees
waterwaterwaterwaterwaterwaterwater
water to...
