carefully I cradled the garden seeds
depositing them in the incubating
warmth of the earth's black womb
then buried my heavy heart there for a season
I thought of my cousin Roger who had just
relinquished the magical breath that animates
all living beings in this universe
it didn't matter that he had abused his body and
was an emotional wreck most of his brief life
more like a brother, fond memories of innocent play,
mischievous fun and a generous, loving persona
poked through fresh and green
like tender infant shoots
these were the perennials, the lasting bouquets
that could never be laid to rest
the fluffy double orange hoop skirts of the hibiscus
dancing in the corner
and the African daisies laughing purple faces
make me smile
I could feel my cousin's Spirit whispering in
the gentle Florida breeze
"hey, cuz, life goes on.......forever!"

there is dew on my lips
sweet secretions of
an open heart
Oh dearest
hold me while
we listen
to summer rain
dripping down
damp warm navel
of the earth
steamy pools rising
your eyes
the air so thick
with love

You were here
last night
tangled up
in my
ebony dreams
and arms
i can still feel
the mist of your
breath on my
neck
i prayed that you
wouldn't vanish
that this kiss would
last
beyond the
first rays of
Dawn
and the
sweet duet of
the skylark

The tempest in your
Soul
the gale in your
heart

even the frailest robin
finds rest in the
open arms of a
solitary tree

Let me lay my head
on your rain-drenched bough
feel the flowers bloom
watch the stars shoot
across your eyes
once.....
again

Easter hymns
rise sweet and melodious
from our lips
white majestic lilies
sound their fragrant trumpets
kindling childhood memories
of new spring clothes,
shiny black patent leather shoes
lacy pink bonnets and my Mother
holding our hands as we skip
off to Sunday school
tears frozen in time
warm streams run freely
towards her familiar lap
and soft *****
on this day so dear to her
Soul
I gaze wistfully across
unknown boundaries
and wave to my Mom
strolling through Paradise
hand in hand
with Jesus, Our Lord

Fighting sleep...
Night's velvet hand caresses
my face

Crescent moonlight illumines
my copper skin
lily

Day once so robust, solid
and real

lies still, cold and silent
on the bed next to me

All the schemes, dreams and wishes
cremated in the dying red bonfire
of the setting sun

a starry void descends
overtakes me
and
I
disappear
for
now

words fall empty silent
pained into the altar fires
life without You
an unbearable cross to bear
ash is smeared across my forehead
but not just for Lent
now I wear the tattered rags and carry the begging bowl of Shiva
even the crematory dust of my bones
shiver in the hereafter
for one blessed whisper from the lips of
my beloved