A Different Smelling Spring
A different smelling spring–
served quite chilled, then warmed quickly,
with notes of melting snow
sweet and earthy on the nose,
this spring has woody undertones:
fresh-aged ash, maple, oak, and pine,
the neighborhood filled with sawdust fine.
Make Amends
A storm can break a tree,
a chipper can tear it apart,
leaving you with plenty of room
to make amends.
Ask and you shall receive,
pressed down and running over,
and you’ll be forced (forced!)
to share it with friends.
Getting-Stuff-Done
The washing machine is churning away
which means I’m getting-stuff-done today.
I may be slouched
upon the couch
but I’m being productive, wouldn’t you say?
An Eye
I’m developing an eye for what it all comes down to.
I can know without a sigh the bottom line.
There’s some things that I’ve regreted, but to know where this is headed
helps me see a little clearer in this time.
It’s Been Half a Year
It’s been half a year,
and I’m still writing here,
although not as often.
My schedule seems to soften.
Now two weeks without poems,
you’re wondering if I’m home.
Yes, I’ve been here enough–
just doing other stuff.
What is free today?
Today for free, there is a bed,
two chairs (one plaid, and one that’s red),
a box full of computer parts,
someone who wants junk for art,
a TV shelf with dark green doors,
and tomorrow, there’ll be more.
Talking About the Weather
On April twenty-two,
two-thousand-thirteen,
a cold wind blew,
and the snow was mean.
And I would guess
that no one would blame us
for just talking about the weather.
This April is famous.
Those Days
There’s a tiny little baby that some friends are foster-caring,
and I got to hold him (I’m glad that they were sharing).
He was so very tiny. I’m sure his parents will wish
that they could have held him so soon. They might not know he exists.
And they will always wonder how holding their newborn would feel.
But I forget how it felt with my baby. Those days are fleeting, surreal.
The Floor
Since my baby likes to eat
the crumbs up off the floor,
do I have to vacuum less,
or should I vacuum more?
To Say Thank You
To say thank you
is to give up rights;
it means “You were under no obligation
to give me something so nice.”
And so, to say thank you
is to open up and trust
that we won’t cease to be cared for.
Yes, this is hard, but a must.