resistance
the poem that doesn’t get written is often much louder
than the one that sneaks onto the page.
as a parent, I’m not always proud of the way that i choose
to turn away from a tantrum.
the poem that doesn’t get written is often much louder
than the one that sneaks onto the page.
as a parent, I’m not always proud of the way that i choose
to turn away from a tantrum.
dishonest, like an electron microscope.
weak, like water, spiderweb.
hateful, like a hand outstretched in friendship.
greedy, like the moon.
thousand-foot climb to the temple. perfumed flowers
line the path. no coming, no going.
on being passed by a runner near temescal park:
flogging body and mind
who faults you, cabbage, when you’re sweet and young
nourishing, tractable, inoffensive.
but salt, darkness and time bring out your wisdom,
the sting of life, the critics.
old friends, old vine grenacha, ratatouille.
old tongues return to poets of old.
we quote from memory, and when that fails us,
there’s project gutenburg!