Overmomed

a wilting orchid 
brought by an empty classroom:
symbol of my month

or this calendar 
hiding (not hiding) events
never. ending. tasks.

Naked and True

i’ll grasp this aspen 
framed by its own starry night
when i need some peace

an exhausting day
with my spirit-week “jersey”
and this fake smile

hidden by these masks
that have broken our world
like a rootless orchid

but this cat. this cat.
a soft purrfection presence 
worth a real grin.

i'll write a haiku
as easy as this damn day
filled with lines. and love.

you will never know
how hard i've tried to earn this.
you can taste the snow.

you can taste blue sky.
it comes in moments, this love.
moments found on slopes.

our symbolic cat
sitting by his empty plate
waiting for his love

trapped behind two masks, 
we’re at the pandemic’s will:
all screens. no faces.

snow arrived today.
soft, slippery, it snuck in
and brought back this piece:

in the purple night
on our perfect patio
completion beckons.

a small redemption

when the pieces fit in place

so rarely perfect

a busted-lip morn
as i mourn this stage of life:
dry. unforgiving.

one day at a time
I’ll win back my little one
(no longer little)