Poems Paintings Other
These HandsHer hands were like an old woman’s
Thin bony and gnarled Thick veined and sharp knuckled Hands that have lived. I held them once, when it was cold To warm them. I wave hello when I pass your street and remember when your hands waved goodbye. Those hands are cold now. The water took what little warmth you had From thick veins and sharp knuckles. And I can never warm your hands again. 2013. This Fragile ThingWe examined each other
across the dim, small room. His brow furrowed, I, smiling. He regarded me as if I was a wounded animal, a cracked vase– something unwhole. And I guess I was. 2013. |
The Coat of Stolen ColorsYou are my desire unveiled.
Beauty and grace and charm Holy beyond reach. Everything I wanted. You are my crippling blow, All my ambition wasted and vain. The fruits of my labor, my loyalty, The petitions of my heart denied. Denied, and transferred, As easily as cashing a check, Scrubbing out my name. Don’t trouble yourself. They’ll write your name in the space just fine. They promised me honor and rewards for my service. Me, loyal as a dog. Recompense as natural and expected as A banker and his watch Or a soldier and his pension. They didn’t give me a whole coat of colors Lapis and ruby and gold thread They gave me a remnant, Misdyed and stiff with selvage Orange red pink green blue Gold tinsel stripe Colors of the morning. I cherished it, Made a shawl to fool myself Into thinking it was my promised coat. You saw it, And though the coat the elders wove for you Was double-thick with my lapis thread You came in love Kissed me on both cheeks Called me sister Slipped the remnant from my shoulders (But that was okay. I loved you.) Your thin deft fingers Unwove the colors of the morning Plaited them into a rope Strung it around me for a necklace And hung me on a tree. You took the threads of golden tinsel Freed from the lesser cloth And wore them in your hair for a crown. 2012. |
Blue KnitHis sweater ended in points on his shoulders.
An easy fix. Smoothed out with fingers, then folded and shelved. But I did neither. He was not mine to care for. 2013. |