The day had no greeting, just another
smudgy sunrise and a stale blanket,
some Frosted Flakes, and a commute
through grey grey grey on every level

Bells made of bone and metal ring out
(toll for thee? why did I go all King James
for a moment?) sounding like slow mornings
as fog settles in for another smothering

Needing an umbrella to deflect insults
and neglect (though that follows us,
doesn’t it, precious?), we are forgotten
and I am again in the third person.

The day is too quiet,
like the forest when birds hush
when a predator is nearby.
The heavy air, the lack of sound,
the lurking is what gets to me.
The feeling there is something
sinister waiting. I try and move
but I am waiting too.
Like in a bad horror movie, I want to run
or call out but I am silent, still,
measuring my breath
in what is decidedly a confined space.
Maybe I am sinister as well,
a little lost in a world I willingly step into,
knowing I don’t belong.
Not happy with the dichotomy.

There’s a hymn at my periphery,
about simple gifts
which seem as far flung as dragons
or fighting angels or art coming alive.

We don’t need but we want…a taste, a view,
a soothing hand, a thrilling jolt,
a sweet spring, a healthy winter,
a tomorrow of love.

I want to be more than a luxury,
enjoyed in small bites but
unnecessary for the most part.
I want a simple tomorrow.

What do you have in your pocket?
We have the makings of a southern live oak.
After rummaging through daydreams
Where agape desire sleeps
At the heart of our story, softly evergreen,
Sprawling
Through sunny days and nights so gusty
Storms ruffle our tender leaves.
Yet we let go, twisted and dusty
Left to watch how the light weaves
Our love across a sprawling green.

I missed my chance
at frolicking in the meadow
as a young girl
because I was too melancholy.
I missed a step into the sleek city
with its sparkle and grunge speaking to me
because I was trying to hold on
to something real.
I missed living adventurously
because I was tired of trying
so hard to find a place
where I belonged – so I made one.
I miss the point of a lot of stories
including my own
because I get caught up in details
so the next step may be a doozy.