I write this poem as memory.
The warm night we danced
over the pizza place to "Me and
Mrs. Jones." or the trip to the
museum.  

We were tan and
dressed in white.  Summer
was knocking and we
opened the door.

It was a fine door.  We didn't
know then that the wind from
Canada was coming for us.
We drank as we shared
your jacket.

"Listen" you warned me you
were leaving, calling me to wrap
your fleeing shadow around
the mannequin of July.  "Listen"
pounding in my head.

I write you into poetry 46 years
later.  See, I hold your flame in
my hands. Drops of ash in
a goblet of memory.


Caroline Shank

my throat is numb from smoke unfiltered

from borrowed squares to bodies considered

I am a night trick, a weekend witch

watch me curse them, watch them twitch

boys and girls both fall for the con
upon sunrise, the witch is gone

and in my wasteland, they’ll stay buried below
I’ll one day mourn,
when the daisies grow

you must love the control
you must love the lies
you must love the mind games

brainwash me
brainwash me

my life is a dream

everything I know
unfolding
a lie slips out

tell me again
your twisted fairytale
sounds so real

your magic
doesn't work on me

I love you
for trying

all my life
I fed off your tragedies

your shadow
your reflection
I broke the mirror
and cut myself with the broken pieces

it's not your fault

you must love
you must love it

entering the seed
to sleep

I want to be
nurtured

like when
I was small

I want the
chance to

grow again

shed most
everything

until I am
a sliver

of myself
like the moon

short fitted slit dress
numb red cheeks
night sky
twitching lights
standing on the edge
of the bricked bridge
arms wide
wind in her hair
biggest smile
tears in her eyes
I LOVE YOU ALL
as cars cross under,
blinding headlights
glints from the mirrors
SONDER!
i love you all!

and i loved you
in a golden crescendo
of moonlit sunsets
sweet amber kisses
and honey soaked lips.