pink sky gives warning
(so pretty, tucked behind clouds)
of impending war
poetry
Bilingual Rainbow
that moment at school
when a domestic violence reference
does not register
as a violation of human rights.
that.
that is a teachable moment.
let them write their stories,
their poems,
their lives poured out on paper
in a language that sifts through their minds
like Lucky Charms marshmallows,
where finding the right words to describe the trees native to their homelands,
the pain of fleeing war,
the parents who missed even grade school,
is like finding that rainbow marshmallow,
the brightest and sweetest:
the words,
the art,
that will save them.
for today, at least.
Fate
kids writing all day
where they’re from, where life takes us
truth is: no one knows
Check the Box
testing month begins:
aka, hell season of
PowerPoint trainings
Misunderstanding
why the rain, Mama?
we were ready to frolic
in forever sun
Winter’s Remorse
solitary slope
freshly groomed, chickadees’ tweets,
a good way to end
but ice plagued the runs
with snow that just wouldn’t fall
no matter how cold
With Wings We Fly
cold mountainside gusts
in divine aspen grove trails
sweep snow under skis.
later, only sun
and a waterfall vista
to mark spring’s return.
a cloudy sunset
reminds me of emptiness
that lies here. and there.
Be a Bird
if you want to fly
leave your poles at the bottom
and lift up your wings
Cultural Shift
behind closed curtains
every American dream
stays hidden from view
what my students see:
cold-shouldered isolation
as their new welcome
(i walk home to lights
brightening the welcome mat
for all who enter)
Uncovered Territory
your statement blocks me
as cold as this ground cover:
fighting against spring
i want the blossoms
from the newly-planted trees
to save me from this,
to float on a breeze
of similar desires
that could bring us home
(not this gray fabric
stunting all life from below,
constipated spring).
i want soft petals,
lilting with the seasoned wind,
ready to escape.
