our coming song (for andrea)

i have no words of wisdom,
no cure to end this pain;
i only wish to be with you
and cry into the rain.

but where i stand, the earth is dry;
the sun will not relent.
i search the empty sky until
my energy is spent.

i'll cry my tears and let the wind
carry them to you;
then when the rain does come,
we'll feel heaven crying, too.

we'll share this sorrow as we make
our journey, ever long;
for present pain adds tender notes
to our coming song.

in the morning (for jessica)

lands apart
neither guessing what this day will hold

oceans wide
brimming salty tears as sun makes its slow pass

clock unrelenting
seconds, once expired, now beat upon hearts

moon glowing
a memory and a promise only sisters can know

sleep quietly
and in the morning, hold her tight


a little bit of the story

come here for more stories

in your eyes

when water gets
in your eyes
i hold my breath
wait to find
what your heart
needs this time
will you laugh?
will you cry?
jump in again or
hold me tight?
my world shines back
there's so much light
when water gets
in your eyes


old ollie told me to re-post this one, so here goes.

let's call the sitter

soup pot emptied;

five chairs askew,

tabletop cracker-crumbled

hum-a-long sweeping songs;
billowing curtains
and rays skipping up the wall

little fists clutching
fuzzy blankets,
books and sippy cups

book bag slumped on the floor
of an empty studio;
canvas half-painted

a hankering for gelato;
silver moon taking over
the roofs of town square

let's hold hands

wave knockin'

you are BIG
you are WET
you are COLD
you are teeming with all manner of FLOATIES
you are rocking and rolling and WAVING AT ME

you taunt me.

i am not afraid of you.
i will ride you like a little girl's pet pony
and i will OWN YOU.

you are MY lake.













(my lake -- not my photo.)

rural king

the jingle jangle of bells

heralds our conqueror

high upon his mighty steed

polished and proud

his convoy proceeds,

parading the booty

trailer chains bouncing behind

a shiny black pick-up,

lawn tractor in tow

"it's a party!"

sitting between home and highway,
thinking of you.

reflecting on coloured lights,
smiling for you.

thinking how dark this porch would be
without you
to string old christmas lights
from bike to door to cafe table,
plug them in,
and light up
as you invite me to our party.

(i put them higher, where your little brother can't reach them)

show and tell

if you didn't already know,

what could i ask you?

if you didn't want to see,

how would i show you?

if you weren't up to listening,

why should i tell you?

but i want to.

i'm dying to see you.

come with us