You say to take a breath,/ “Rest in the written page.”/ Oh, if only I could./ He is the poetry/ On my

In duple rhythm beats/ the dizzying Wurlitzer:/ Wood trumpets, cello pipes,/ trombones, flutes and bells.

Today I woke to a cobalt sun// splayed against a pomegranate sky,/ to orange waves lapping/ bright green

Like a seam/ ripping/ Like a needle/ the pierce,/ the mend// I hear her a floor below/ through the hall’s intercom

Colors of the leaves in autumn wove a lovely quilt/ covering the countryside, woods, and waters

It’s mid-February when/ I’m overcome with the need// to name it. I’ve searched/ field guides, fingered spines

Even the tenacious bluebirds who squabble over/ mealworms in the backyard know that// you must go

I found myself/ in the folds of your sweater/ that fluttering fabric / swaying in the autumn breeze

Our pupils wince at the whole picture —/ we need light bright enough to take it all in,/ though we know too

I need a wonder/ it needn’t be much/ like wet shirts/ on woven lines/ whip-whapping/ with the wind

The blue, bovine river/ and its cargo of silence/ doubles the sky.// The afternoon drifts west/ past the green

feet on your floorboards,/ individuals dusting your windowsill./ the chimney drawing deeply from you

After being in the business for long/ The sailor exclaimed a relief one evening/ When he had sailed a

An American I met who/ had lived in Japan spent/ six years on tea ceremony// and its powdered/ leaves

What are we but a raindrop in the mighty ocean?/ Brimming with hopes and dreams for the future.

Grab a bike and ride through the countryside// Stare into the wine shop and antique windows

Today the mist has pockets,/ holes in the seams, some/ as small as a finger might/ fit and wiggle free

What fond, sugared words/ We share, we sigh// So sweet/ So said/ To your melted solution// So fine

The Coliseum looms/ In the roar/ Of an ancient echo/ Down paved streets/ And the stony tears/ Of time

i.// Winged birds. Executioner—thundering noise. Feathers./ The image plays over and over in my head