poems & photos
Having skittered clear
across the wet intersection,
one regretful person
(clutched in terror)
was the reason for
standstill traffic
tonight
Finally, it was my
turn to rubberneck,
when this ominous,
arresting image
caught me instead:
a procession of
autos, snaked miles
into the distance–
a thousand p u f f s s
of exhaust breath
hanging still
in the night
Come morning, we slid
tippy kayaks into the Sound,
Poulsbo-bound for breakfast
Fearless oars separated
families of jellyfish, we mean
no harm, just passing through
And geoducks – what strange
creations, sand-fountains that
could dance to Mozart
Comfort of land, sun-drenched
streets of shops, families,
Norwegian oddities, pastries
the size of frisbees.
On mornings crisp with new
Grass glazed with frozen dew
Atop the concrete hill,
Buildings bricked and still
Warm chlorine trips my thoughts
Stopping with sharp recognition
I daydream of white swim caps,
Slow diving with dolphin-precision
Together, we forgive the rind
with a sharpened knife
You split with force
the egg-shaped squash
Whose entrails I spoon
onto the butcher’s block
Spreading like an orange
net, loaded with teardrop seeds
The belly of our oven is
amber-glowing, ready
Posing as a coastal surprise
Blooms in abundance in summertime
Sweet pink roses climb on green branches
Tender pale buds that yearn for vases
And the unsuspecting other-surprise
Left by a canine, who just had to go
Where I would plant my sandal
When reaching for a few blooms of my own
fog up the windows 