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Evasion
Stark in the fluorescence of
your scrutiny,
I've begun to envy a shrouded mayfly.
No form-tight pants, no persistent
mammaries: that Ephemera is free.
With two slits cut in black burka for lucid silver
wings, she can slip through the glass door's crack
and flee. Trail smoke from her
insect
silhouette -- graceful in the disappearing.
2002
Waiting Room
Stranger with sketchpad sits
across from me --
I will the man to
capture me . . . not
the weatherworn vessel suspended
without sea
I see
passing him when my name is called.
2002
Comfort
Bread pudding's not expressed
from a mother's
milky breast -- raisins would catch in the hole.
It nurses us later when she's gone or jagged
states sever home.
On Monday, Rocky, my old-man
neighbor, buried Sarah, his wife, and since
I dare not soothe as Rose of Sharon, it's covered
Corning I bear tonight.
The dish still warm -- want to keep it
for myself.
2002
First Communion
At seven, she walked herself
to the Methodist
cup to test Christ's
sacred blood. Haloed candles, her cherub flush --
proof enough
of holy.
Three weeks later,
in Dad's truck she sneaked
his Scotchy water. Deeper
burn, radiant
taillights -- Jesus had gone but
it didn't matter.
2002
Pushing groceries to the
car
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Good wheels, sturdy
frame -- this cart
could abandon the lot,
roll far
to foreign lanes.
Behind it a woman
could disappear.
Incline, gravel, field
greens' rot --
I'd miss my feather bed.
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2002
Husbandry
The man who tucked the dead
dog's dish behind the fescue seed
pluck's fall debris from April's sandbox,
now smooths a new layer of grains.
Six months since his best
friend's been gone and longer
since my words came tender.
2002
Respite
The organ's quiet
A Duraflame burns in place
and language -- still
behind windexed doors. I'll slip
here for four more days
not prodding
theee kraken -- dead
to metaphor.
2002
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