It felt like love.

The way you touched me,

the second our eyes locked
and you couldn’t look away.

Full attention like I was the
only sight in view.

The way we moved together,

a perfect connection.

Two souls with one perfect rhythm.

Breathing simultaneously,

my heartbeat in tune with yours.

I wrapped my arms around you so tight in hopes you’d never let me go…

It sure felt like love,
but we never knew what that meant.

my bizarre trendy artful life
set my goals for February
now that it is March
my collage calendar full of
last year's appointments
now that I am
focused in, touchstones
challenging ahead
I meet tomorrow
at a glance.

Within the tiny Pantheon
We stood together silently,
Leaving the restless crowd awhile
As ships find shelter from the sea.

The ancient centuries came back
To cover us a moment’s space,
And thro’ the dome the light was glad
Because it shone upon your face.

Ah, not from Rome but farther still,
Beyond sun-smitten Salamis,
The moment took us, till you stooped
To find the present with a kiss.

I see two fire trucks pass each other
going opposite directions.
As I’m trying to think of a clever metaphor
for poor planning
I remind myself that at least one family
is standing in a thigh high pile of fine ash
that was their home
just an hour ago.
Maybe two families.
These thoughts and others haunt me when I’m pulled from my duck footed sidewalk reverie
by a lottery ticket stuck in the riff-raff that separates
Gateway Ave from the parking lot of the Nervous Hospital.
It is laid bare like a mugging victim;
crumpled up and inches from the gutter.
That was someone’s dream
just a day ago.
Think I’ll cross the street-
give that homeless vet a dollar.
It’s my last one.
My house has fleas, but
it ain’t on fire.