On a Roll
I rattle through my broken vows
in this barrel of regrets.
I pray for rain to wash away
my excuses and pretensions.
I pray that I can roll away
before I’m followed by a mob
of disappointed sorrows
armed with matches and a rope.
***
Sloughing My Skin
If only fear was makeup,
I could wipe it off my face.
Instead I shudder, stuck in the shadows.
Fear is the skin I cannot slough.
***
A Tune I Can’t Carry
I’d sing a song to summer
if it wasn’t for the heat.
My brain is melted ice cream.
My vocal cords are crispy critters
on the barbeque.
Birds and bees and butterflies
and flowers shout instead
in brilliant reds and yellows,
in oranges and purples.
Thunderstorms and rain are drum
beats to this cacophony
until autumn cools its heels
and leaves of red and gold blow in
to sweep away the chorus.
***
Seriously Disgusting
(to the tune of “My Favorite Things”)
Braunschweiger smears
march on handles and faucets.
Food grows and hardens
on microwave innards.
Stovetop was white,
but it’s crusted with crud.
“House Beautiful” would vamoose from this mess.
***
Eye Spy
He spies on me
beneath the bed,
on top a shelf,
or from a drawer.
I have to check
the washing machine
for secret agent kitty.
***
Yarrow
You pick yellow yarrow
for the bottle
in your window.
When the rain clouds
darken love to sorrow,
yarrow is the sunlight
in the sky.
***
Upside Down
The rainbow in the puddle
is your upside-down smile
the rain brought
to remind me
that nothing
can wash
away love.
***
I Didn’t Understand
You tried to tell me
that the other dog left
poop inside the closet.
I thought you were annoying
and I didn’t understand
until I went to change clothes
and found out for myself.
***
Providence
I must have known
you in a past life,
so familiar is your touch.
I find comfort in your presence.
Unexpected blessing
when I thought I’d never
have a second chance.
published in Medusa's Kitchen:
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