The “zero words” in the corner is due to making this sketch on Pages, primarily a writing app. I thought it appropriate here.

I’ve been playing around with abstraction and composition by using found and household objects. The feet added an unexpected element. Yes, I’m standing on my work table.

*Tenkan is a martial arts move whereby one moves to a position behind the opponent in order to gain control of the situation.

(part of the True Stories series)

awake before sunrise

i step outside the sanctuary

of my parents’ house to

a sky full of dark with

pale moon and

two single stars unclouded

by wishes of opal clouds,

air cool through my hair.

[Just found this in the intricate maze of my computer. Must have been written several years ago, before my father died.]

(A poem to be read by two people whereby each person reads a column. Spaces denote where one speaker is silent while the other speaks.)

Snap! The light went on. “What type of pet are you looking for?”

Fred grinned at Sam,“Cute.”

Sam squeezed Fred’s hand.“Ferocious enough to scare burglars away.”

“Griffin?,” suggested Sally. 

Sam watched it flutter. “Too many feathers.”

“How about a kraken?”

“Cleaning the tank would be onerous.”

Sally pointed, “This one doesn’t need much care, just a few crumbs. And it’s guaranteed to scare people.”

The brown creature waved its six legs and wiggled two antennae. Sam and Fred’s eyes met.

“Gorgeous,” Sam whispered in awe. 

Fred put his arm around Sam. “A cockroach is perfect.”

pit pit patter pour

rain rain galore 

may it rain some more

petals metals betals

tee tee whoosh

pit pit patter pour

rain slows

sun shows

cloud goes

crystal air tik tik 

sweet scent sniff 

tulips closed

shush at dusk

sea sky 

with a blush

whaa hoo hoo

dove calls

quiet clouds

nnnnnnnnnn

train announces

The backyard

is filled with weeds.

The tree 

which we cut last year

has shooters exploding

into the sky.

“Rat city,” my husband

disgustedly exclaims.

He suggests Round-Up;

I am horrified.

“Okay, I’ll weed on Tuesday,”

No problem. 

Though I do like

that jungle look.

I feel the shaking 

of Shiva’s dancing

through my feet

ini my entire body 

in my ears

his majestic drumming

in my ears

Kali lurks

thirsty for demon blood

and I wake

at 2 in the morning

thrumming with energy

the dance has begun

join the frenzy

spinning wheel 

sheds prism colors

church bells peal

and now

at 2 in the morning

I wake

thirsty for the world

night clouds

suffused with light

stars and moon obscured

but I know 

they are there in the universe

 beyond me

and my own star  

waits patiently

Hecate  is thirsty

and so am I