a touch of snowfall
brings beauty to commuting
and calms my heartache

my name in Dari
made for me by my student
language: such a gift

a touch of snowfall
brings beauty to commuting
and calms my heartache
my name in Dari
made for me by my student
language: such a gift
hospitality:
the heart of an Afghan home
(how sweet the tea tastes)
through Cumberland Gap
we drive down to Tennessee
and stand in three states
it’s been many years
(the gap between visits here)
and everything’s changed
Pappy’s room is new
with the antique furniture
from their grandparents
a whole new kitchen
to fill Donna’s empty nest
with the light of love
this generation
will take the time to teach them
and fill in the gaps
they’ll learn who came first,
what they fought for, what they lost;
close gaps, open eyes
the sound of leaf breeze
is impossible to miss
from the top? perfect
there’s just nothing like
five giddy little-teen girls
breathing us all in
our poor Daddy
outnumbered seven to one
without one complaint
June: a harried month
with all the joys and sorrows
that make up this life
birthdays as i age
are all about the blossoms
(petal by petal)
even candy blooms
from a fasting student’s heart
here, home, on my desk
what if sunset geese
were the best part of their day,
of their lives thus far?
a museum trip
to learn English with a twist
and these masked smiles
i drive buses now
because taking them places
is what matters most
the joy in their eyes
as they immerse themselves
is universal
my Homecoming queens
who will never win titles
will still win with me
and what have they learned?
just how to love everyone
from all walks of life
Kentucky surprise:
shadows, trees, sun, nieces, joy,
progressive murals
don’t assume you know
the beliefs of a red state
until you’ve been there