Sunday, May 29, 2016

When You Left




I sold
the house
where last
we lived
together.

It could
not hold
the shoes
you left
behind.











Saturday, May 7, 2016

Fishing Silence

              
              North of Limoges
there is a pond
a lake really
with shiny carp
big as mermaids
silvery skin
with puckered lips
caught with hooks
they gleam
glorious
trophies
in the sun
for tourists
who sleep
in tents
don’t speak
French
do take
photos
to capture
awe
in all
airiness

North of Poughkeepsie
the Hudson River
eddies brackish
anemic carp
big as infants
muddy skin
with puckered lips
caught in nets
squirm
until cradled
your thumb
in its mouth
pacified
snuggles
your frozen
heart
fears not
the air
as you
carry
 your child
to fresh
waters






carp painting from public domain
carp fishing photo, Barrytown, NY 1984
(I am second from the right in the top photo,
third from the right in the bottom  photo.)