most men want
even need
to be appreciated

most women want
even need
to be valued

most **** sapiens
us human animals
want to be respected

we
try
our
very
best

there is usually
a reason
for a behavior

get to the reason

cry
no one hears
but the wind will blow
and carry your tears as they flow
over the years
the wind will blow
the earth will know
the earth
will
know

What is that look?
That thousand mile stare
Is it a look of wonder?
(Where is my father?
He's always been with me
Should I cry?)

I'm about two
My Aunt Mary is holding me
She's looking at me - with concern?
I'm not looking at her
I've got that stare
Has my life changed?
Forever?

In another photo - same time period
I'm told to hold a cat
I've put out my arms
the cat is plopped down
Poor cat

I look at no one
Not the camera
Not the people
They are all liars.

I passed him in the produce isle
on his face - the faintest smile
not too bright but slightly sly
as very gently he cradled a pie

I couldn't see what kind of pie
as quickly we passed each other by
I sensed he wanted to hurry away
with plans for his pie that very day

For a long time
I was angry with her
even trying to get rid of her

She'd pop up
at inappropriate times
with her odd behavior

Later I thought about
integrating and accepting her
making her feel welcome

Now - I ask her advice
After all - she's the one
who felt all the love

My parents were
kind and loving people
She's the one who knew them

She was already 3
when my mother told my father
to get lost

She was already 4
when my mother took off
to pursue another dream

So she knows life
from the perspective of confidence
and self worth

It's good I invited her in
and made friends with her
she helps me

She's the one
who showed me how
to let go

Let it go
like grains of sand
spilling through fingers

Let it flow
like a swift river
over smooth stones

Let it drift
like snow
on a windy day

Let it blow
like dust
in a swirling storm

long train passes
revealing the quiet
gray-blue bay

floating white cloud
but in the western sky
something dark brewing

she spreads her wings
riding the currents
wherever they take her

Morning bells
***
tea
flee

Or in an alternate universe
pea
tee
flea

Which could include
breakfast, golf, and a dog
instead of the bathroom
warm drink, and a walk

Either way
involves leaving the
comfy
warm
nest

within
i find the child
stunned
silent

within
I want to help
but am
helpless

within
I want to know
but face
darkness

within
there is a glow
somewhere
within

Beware bird
he is stalking you
hungry eyes
honed

He moves so slow
how could you know
you are as good as
*****

You are one step
away from disaster
one bite
away from dessert

One flight away
from fancy
bird
be alert

Once, long ago
before our world
was spinning in space
before earth itself was aglow

we humans gazed with awe
as darkness came
and the night turned brilliant
lit with stars

the sky filled with them
some streaked across the black
and we were much afraid
we told each other stories

about how the stars moved
and why they disappeared
we build stone monuments
to honor them

we gaze now upon
sparkling Christmas lights
but once we humans
saw the starry night sky

He accused crow
of premeditated pooping
It was a direct hit
on his hand and umbrella

Caw answered crow
head tilted nonchalantly
crow never looked
where she leaked

It's simply the nature of things
she implied
no malice of forethought
no plan of attack

none the less

Walking the alley
I hear the soft sounds
of a wooden flute

Just a few notes
in that deep register
floating free to me

I said how beautiful
and he walked
out of the shadow

Did you make the flute?
He showed me how the hole
fit his thumb

Walking away
I said his music was poetry
He whispered "prayer"

You have to stay home all day
to make bread
While it rises three times
before it gets cooked
Punch it down twice
Then its ready for the heat

Think of something else to do
Pay bills and balance the checkbook?
Write letters or poems?
Read the last 100 pages
of "Look Homeward Angel"?
Stay in the kitchen and make soup?

Simulate the restaurant's baked bisque
one small pie pumpkin, cut and steamed
one sliced leek
one fat carrot
two **** chopped apples
Cumin, spike, olive oil.

Bake and let it rest

Eating alone
and out of the pan
soup again
or - random produce

The spoon falls in

Here's whats included:
Romano beans
sun dried tomato
celery with leaves
red and purple pepper
Spike, cumin, tumeric
one small potato from Joe's garden

Let it simmer.