Poems
Monster's Ball
For Davy Kellow
When I first met you
the grass was golden the sun
a vast loom weaving rays
of light Kindness unloosed your heart
and it rocketed skyward
followed by so many words
only the wind could tell
I knew you from a famous painting
even your smile Days became weeks
love drove me through unabashed streets
Open windows let in the birds
and their wild sweet racket
Their emerald feathers lined the hallway
with poetry so many songs left unsung!
I wanted the melody the words
still in their boxes
I have too many secrets
and you were frightened
I thought a monster lived in me
who ate human bones and livers
Then you held my hand
and the beast was quiet again
though still alive and well
You didn't yell in terror
but spoke softly like a cloud
The sun stopped weaving
and night rain dropped by the way.
The Gift Bringer
He brings you gifts from afar
lovingly he's so kind the angels
know his every step Even in winter
in hail his faith doesn't fail
You're untouchable your pedestal
glowing with poison He won't come closer
than the front door primitive and pure
You're used to it cold as winter
but still breathing his giving
feeds you oranges emeralds gold coins
Only the moon is safe in the hands of the gods
You are not safe
You could easily fall onto the pavement
below and shatter your skin unpeels
like fruit soft and alive your illness
the unbearable pain of the world.
Cherry Picking
If I understood you love would rise
on its brittle stalk shedding its ripe light
like peaches. In Poland they grow cherries
little red moons that flower in your mouth
then are swallowed and forgotten
your mouth open for the next and the next
like love spitting out the pip
Your lips are ruby red precious stones
melting into your skin and the flesh
the darkness of red You are grateful
for this love this windfall
grateful for every shade each nuance
Meaning crosses your mind like a bridge
over an empty river In the dead river
are dead bodies left over from the war
You crossed the bridge to reach the cherries
Any other way would have been impossible.