I went to the store today
and ran into an older fellow
he said hi and I said hey
his voice was low and very mellow

As I held the door open
our eyes met for the shortest time
then slid off, as do most men
( as if connecting were a crime)

He shuffled off, I went on by
in a rush as seems my way
to buy some chicken I could fry
( you know, his eyes were almost gray)

Theatre Macabre

lower the house lights
in the broken-down theater
of a thousand tortured nights
hush the sequined crowd
of ragged clowns
and aged ringleaders
bring a soft spot
to center stage

awaken the sots
while the curtains descend
composing a backdrop
of claret crushed velvet
hear a pin drop
as I strike my pose
extending toes on one foot I hop
beginning the dance

Mary Joe was this couples’ first baby
After eighteen years of trying
Mary Joe was a blessing
Mary Joe was a lesson
Little Mary was beauty; with our eyes we beheld it.
That Sunday morning
Before the altar
It was Mary we were dedicating
I remember the preacher saying,
“This baby is a sign that Gods covenant with us is not broken”
Before the altar
We came out dancing
With hearts full of thanksgiving
In the offering basket we dropped our token
For we know, with Marys’ testimony, we can now keep on believing

A vein of burgundy
ebb

the dark pale blue
edge

An ache tingles
spines
and needles

fast beyond the dream
of a memory hedge

borrowed from the
rain drip ledge

divulged ecstatic
emissaries
as voilet
as Autumn

tufts of
forbidden
scars
where love
has lain