FLY

raven dark
and raven strong
sing aloud your raven's song

your lofty perch is high above
in your eyes
the blackest love

calm and still
you never waver
each misty morning is one you savor

soaring through life's seven seas
with such beauty grace and ease
your home is earth
your home is sky
blackbird sing
and blackbird
FLY

A CARD YOU GAVE TO ME

i keep your card in a jewelry box
that sits on a dresser on top of my socks
i reached in my hand and got pricked with a pin
but i needed a necklace so i reached in again
i peaked around and looked inside
and all of my jewelry began to hide!
that old piece of paper was all i could see
with your bright shiny words sparkling back up at me

THE SCENT OF APPLE PIE

i smelled first the temperature
a slow rolling wave of heat
that finds it's fill beneath my nose
and then the salt
golden in the crust
followed by a funneled confusion of
tart apples, soothing sugar and wise cardamon

i push them all out
and then, quite purposefully
invite them all back in for an extended stay
each one has made it's lodging within me
not merely passers through
we found a home in each other
and warmth

CAT 4

damn you and your handsome face
that causes my weak heart to race
stumbles my words at an awkward pace
as my mind conceives a lovers chase

those big bright eyes are filled with wonder
gaze on your dreams they'll you onward
your smile stretches from ear to ear
it appers to take up half your face
leaving only room for two small dimples before your ears
your long thin nose casts quite the shadow
a shadow that could be my shelter
a place to keep me safe within your kindness
a place that echos your warm laughter
your neck is lean an ivory tower
with an adams apple that pulls you forward
your lanky frame a top your bike
pushes petals 'round with thighs of iron
your dorky hair a crown of wonder
your funky tan a badge of honnor
your whole self is the dream i have

can't wait to see your handsome face
and your strong legs that win each race
with reliable cadence that sets the pace
you break away i only chase

POPS- for JERRY

big man known as a small tree frog
came to us from the land of smog
and that little boy raised in the ghetto
spoke words as sweet as amaretto
some days were bright but others dark
as a young man bloomed in central park
charming and witty, swift and tan
he soon devised his master plan
adorned his cap with many a tassel
married a queen and built his castle
started and finished many a race
though some were at a slower pace
the children he had were royal as well
e gifted them wisdom upon witch to dwell
he gave them knowledge to wear as a crown
and filled them with laughter if ever they frowned
with that sneaky smirk that we all know
he lit our worlds in a fiery glow
and we will sing his song of praise
now until the end of days

 "when i wake he speaks to me, the soft whispers of the free,
and in the eve he sings to me, the sweetest song that ere could be,
and late at night he calls to me, the gentile voice of the coqui,
and when i sleep he dreams with me, and fills my thoughts of worlds to be"

running gently through my mind
his fingers round my soul to bind
his still small voice has set me free
my father left his mark on me

IF

if i were an artist,
i'd paint stories untold.
if i were a reader,
i'd watch novels unfold.
but i'm just a writer,
cramming words into molds.

SQUASH

eating yellow squash 

from a yellow bowl

eating healthy foods

setting healthy goals

brewing some tea 

and brewing some thoughts

steam rises from the cup

and rises from the pot

creamy tea soothing my throat

buttery squash melts in my mouth

everything is still 

there is peace in the house

sad puppy eyes look up at me

tiny little tongue licks my knee

you won't like this squash 

it's not for dogs

it's for grown up girls 

who work hard at their jobs

and come home to a house

quiet and still

sit down at the table

with tea and with squash

with pots in the sink

that i have yet to wash

and a head full of thoughts

that i have yet to squash