I clasp
your back to my ear…
(your heart)
☯︎
tanka:
It’s big enough
to blot light
from the street
so yes, I’m afraid…
to turn my head
☯︎
Blood drop
stretched
on its way to the ground
☯︎
Three kids…
masks
just part of their play
☯︎
How might we know
when a star dies?
(they leave their lights on)
☯︎
Anniversary…
their teeth can now kiss
without their mouths
☯︎
Such language,
the battered can
rolling north
☯︎
The horse
and the spider,
either side of the field
☯︎
My thumb against
the heel of my other hand…
slowed pulse
☯︎
I’m risky,
rain on my stubble
and breath
☯︎
One broken blade
in a cave…
too far from the sun
☯︎
Lonely again…
leaf-blower drone fades,
trudging north
☯︎
His lips
(my only man)
cracked stubbly dry
☯︎
I saw
and could only see him, once…
still mourning
☯︎
Cherry blossoms,
rushed this year–
forgot their sunlight
☯︎
Sink side soap,
one bar shrunk
down to a dagger
☯︎
The Buddha,
what can it feel…
snail down one cheek
☯︎
Stretch
horrible year wide enough…
extract happiness
☯︎
My two fingers
hold two cards…
the storm breaks
☯︎
tanka:
Sunray to earth
then a white wall
rebounds brilliance
to illume
the gull’s underwings
☯︎
