February 2018 – Page 2

each time you leave me
it gets a little harder
to let you back in
–
terra cotta-
under the pot
the door key

a pair of sneakers
found by the side of the road
after the cleanup
–
waiting crows-
a possum’s
sacrifice

the darkness complete-
standing on the precipice
shouting at the void
–
the village green-
I hunt for the
elusive middle

a toad on his throne
surrounded by those mirrors
that show him a prince
–
rain streaked windows-
the world outside
distorted

hug your children tight
for tonight there are parents
who won’t get that chance
–
barren trees-
young branches
devoid of leaves

an empty city-
young maples rises up through
the broken sidewalk
–
an old plow-
reclaimed
by the forest

asleep on a bench
the hard rap of a nightstick
startles him awake
–
dark rain-
wet newspaper
her only refuge

the sliding doors shut
as the train pulls away I’m
still on the platform
–
changing winds-
the last robin
takes wing

surrounded by wealth
still dissatisfied with the
overabundance
–
winter rain-
runnels
overflowing

the heat of the forge-
showers of embers rise up
into a gunmetal sky
–
cold anvil-
hammers
ringing