queens of the castle
reign over new recliner
cause cats run the show
summer has arrived
and is melting all the snow
stealing our winter
Percocet nightmare
worse than any surgery
(pain outruns nausea)
health insurance rules
for relieving years of pain
please don’t take it back
an afternoon wind
blew in a flurry of texts
and opened this door–
it knocked down a glass
from our dishwasher-less rack
(because all things break)
it sent me spinning
on my endless carpool trip
(keeping up with kids)
the sun was shining
on my student-made pastry,
unaware of shards.
i swept up pieces,
circled back to get daughter
and wash more dishes.
baklava melted
like rays of afternoon sun
in each of our mouths
(a reminder that
gusts of wind, circling drives
are just shards of days)
on Monday, a beer
because the cafe was closed
and i needed one
it was a sports bar
and the tears she shed were mine
in goodbye moments
(i didn’t share them–
not then, not out on the street–
only in words. here.)
because i’ve been there.
we have all been there. mothers.
sisters. wives. children.
i should have seen it.
the comings, goings of days,
built on loss and fear.
her tears were my tears.
her daughters were my daughters.
we are all the same.
always a kitten
to keep my toes warm at night
and my heart warm too
art intercepts life
on a cloudy Denver day
at the museum
social justice rules
when we create from our souls–
pen; paint on canvas
after a long walk
The Nightingale finally ends
(leaving with sorrow)
sorrow chases steps
across the gray of our lives,
of this cool spring day.
but i still find hope:
in neighborhood yard signs,
girls getting along,
in the purring cats,
the moist grass that begs to grow,
the chances that wait,
in my daughters’ eyes,
and the fight we all must fight
till tomorrow comes.
bitter sister fights
after Friday conferences?
it seems about right
no weekend chilling
what the fuck are they thinking?
we just want to rest
and my girls’ good grades
and flawless school behavior?
who are these people???
let the teachers leave
let us all be real here:
let us all… breathe… deep
(it’s all over now–
the fights, the drama… Friday)
so let us rejoice
because she got in
will be at school with me soon
my little freshman
and all that matters
on a freaky Friday night
is that they are mine
the canvas denied
(i forgot the calendar)
and now she’s alarmed
cuddling, crying
is how Thursday’s doomed to end
(until humor comes)
thank god for sisters
who constantly entertain
(our family of friends)
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