Monday, March 30, 2009

the strength of memory

i wondered what would remain
when it seemed that
so much was being lost...forgotten
sitting with you in silence
you reached for my hand
and held it for a very long time
i hardly dared to breathe
not wanting to break the spell
when the tears came
i let them fall
you were leaving
and your struggle
was so hard to witness
for i could see
that in the last days of your life
you remembered
everything

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

push-me-pull-you

what was that you said?
"don't come."
but i came anyway
and you were happy
i didn't listen
then you said
"don't leave."
but we both knew
i had to go
you came to admire
my strength
not realizing that
like dr. doolittle's
push-me-pull-you
we shared
the same backbone

Sunday, March 22, 2009

savannah

how can i explain savannah
her beauty transcends words
still, i search for them
knowing that you, too,
have such places of the heart
that place where
once you pass into her
your first impulse
is to weep for joy
imagine yourself there
and you will know
my city
my home


Friday, March 13, 2009

asana

sit down
there's something
you need to hear
pay attention to the wound
the thin red line is speaking



Tuesday, March 10, 2009

i come to the garden

gentle lady, mother of nine
widowed too young
no time to grieve, life had to go on
times were hard
in later years,
when you could take some ease
you planted the whole front yard
on clemson street with flowers
a little outpost of eden
you were already white-haired
and worn
when i came to know you
i loved the way you poured coffee
into the saucer for me
laced with sugar and lots of cream
you would pat my hand and say
"come sit near granny"
and i would snuggle up beside you
my head on your bosom
i did not know then
what i know now
how age and
the cares of this world
catch up with us in the end
how i wish i could roll back time
and join you in the garden
once again

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

morning glory

beautiful brief flower
born for morning
you fill me with longing
for the land of eternal day