it will be, you know


1.
small bird
shivering

kind hand
covering

warmth
spreading

destined
for life


2.
her well-trained cats
at the door
         ants *always spared (!)
         on sill
         with sugared saucer
poultry in the yard
collecting deep-yolked eggs
         making gooseberry jam
and sweet, strong tea
with hot milk
just for me

she taught me inner grace
and the real meaning
of quietness
        just birds chattering away
        whistling wondrous
        in fig trees
laden with heavy fruit
awaiting her deft hands

how I loved her so

accounting exams
interrupted
in sixth grade
sorry
she's gone, dear
dumbstruck silence
          they ask
          why I'm not crying?


3.
kismet peeps in
to embrace you
and kiss your brow

you try to sidestep
and stub a toe
knock your head


in the end:
full-circle prayer


que sera...sera




S T, 28 June 2013

I fell into the deepest sleep
beneath last winter's ice.
All was lost around me
and my heartbeat slowed
almost to a stop.
But you were there,
sharing your warmth
to keep us both alive.
Spring came about
and thawed us out
left drowning in our thoughts.
But now you're gone.

Next winter will behold no savior,
But a new layer of ice.

I still think about you every day
But it doesn't make me stomach twist
and my heart pound

I'm still happy when you text
but it doesn't stop the world anymore
it just makes a small sound

Is this how it fades?

-Katherine Baldwin-