Good dream

(4 verses with 4 lines and 4 beats per line)

It’s been eight years

since I saw you

and was neither

sad nor broken.

You held my hand

I was consoled

it seemed normal

I was happy,

No hospital

bed in the bed

room and no look

of vacancy.

Now, when I sleep

I know I can

see you and be

at peace all night.

O Come, O Come Emanuel

Hush daughter, breath low and slow, low and slow.

Imagine a cross-section of a lake --

its surface at eye level smooth and blank

when nine pebbles (in a line) fall to the depths below.

Hush daughter, be still and silent as stone,

We may march into that cold lake of lost souls.

We will wade into the water of fears.

And white skin will soak up our blood, sweat, and tears.

Wake daughter, and run, and cry, run and cry

Nine bullets dragged their bodies through the veil.

Grab each one and become the tattered kite tail

as all fly above and pierce the sky.

Rise up daughter and blast into the light.

We shall overcome the tale of that sorry night.

The hair dryer and me

I love it here in my bed with my hair dryer:

a wind tunnel of warmth in my blanketed cave--

elbow aloft, tented for safety, a sleep slave,

curled in comfort, stilled in limbo, need I arise?

Many events wrought me here to this single bed:

riding horses, swimming across rivers, making

lists, being kissed, saying goodbye, “apron strings”;

taking care, doing my best, saying hello, “death”.

The day begun and yet is done, the bright sun fades.

I, at ease under my covers, a fetal knot --

These days of life for which the first were made are not

as enticing as they once were and now have frayed.

So stay! Lulled in sleep, snug as a bug in a rug,

cozy as it is, what I wouldn’t give for a hug.

Stalking gardeners

I woke up in sleep

I dozed driving to UPS

and saw myself return

2 cardboard boxes.

Then I drifted over to park

in the little triangle lot

and floated to Starbucks

where I ordered a tall skinny

caramel macchiato

with 2 raw sugars.

Then I imagined walking back

to where the boys were working

and working with them

for a couple of hours.

Then I woke up
and did it all.