The Light Tender

In the deep, dark depths of the back of the closet,
Was the blue dress long abandoned.

Encouraged to remember its flounce and its flow,
I grabbed hold of a lamp
And decided to go
Find it again
Or get lost trying.

So what that I did get lost?
I found it hanging there -still nice.
And it fit and I wore it all day today,
Reaching down at my feet occasionally
To pick up the pieces that kept falling
From the hemline. Not a bad thing.

Holding them in my hands,
I recognize the pieces
As opportunities
To proclaim how I love:

The secret delivery of art as I peek from behind the curtain;
The tears that you leak, that I’ll never stop reaching to catch;
The laughter contagious, or the snapshot of it;
You, in red, refusing to wear the green I chose for you; and,
Me, as I keep collecting pieces of blue.

Fireflies’ Lives

In the tiniest of places
I know where to find
The silly at heart
So lovely, so kind

Throughout the day
The feeding of souls
In a lemon-yellow room
They do dine and reach goals

A breezy tree fort
Where they learn their true names
During made-up mysteries
While good fun stakes its claim

In a south-facing cove
At the end of the day
See them nurture the Earth
Helping love find its way

Pallasite Cufflinks

Wear pallasite cufflinks to tea

Solely so

That when you speak to me

In conversation,

And I hear

The soft, tenor timbre

Of your voice

Against a backdrop

Of silver teaspoons

Accidentally clanging

Against fine, bone china,

I’ll be reminded

Each time you lift your cup

To your lips

Of the laughable thought

That you are of this world.