Poems

Noises Off (2018)

Today, I heard the sound of silence.

I did.

Just now, lying on my back on the big bed, 

gazing at the pockmarked ceiling that echoes nothing at all. 

No hum of traffic three streets over

nor a distant bark of any dog at all, 

the sky absent of sound from of the plane which authored those jutting white streaks,

No faint breath of wind or the vague humming of wires.

Noises off. 

And there it was, in the absence of distraction, 

I heard the silence screaming.

It is the sound of pain.

Big Magic  (2013)

sure there is
Big magic
in our kiss
kisses
okay
one hundred kisses
or just
one kiss...
lasting
hours

I find
bigger magic
in the way
you
place your hand
at the small
of my back
and
lead me
safely
across the street

Player  (2012)

Player.
players
delicious
Say-ers
and
Lay-ers
(Liar!)
Liars



If  (2008)

if only you'd said
"yes"
when asked to share
one cup of coffee
with me
on the porch...
in Panama

if gladly you'd
joined me
not flinching
then
straining to
cling to the comfort
of working and
yourself

do you think I
might have charmed you and
We
(you and I)
would have shared
one day with
out
ugliness?



Heart  (2009)

the silent shattering of her heart

deafens

fragments tear through her veins.

the ache so loud so
appalling

it is heard

by only

me

Dormant (2003)

the abscission was nearly complete

is it half a decade I slumbered
torpid,
white knuckled  
against the universe
withering in my hibernaculum?
weary from the good-girl fight
bracing my Self
resigned to the certain
amputation of
my soul

by chance or by design
You, stumbled upon
my hiding place
crashing into
my glittering prison

suddenly I am jolted 
shot up like an arrow

now neither dormant

nor at peace

but above the atmosphere
intact

shedding sparkles
everywhere