Calmness leads to claws
flexing, with eyes
closed or keenly
narrowed and fixed on
the sleightness of
disturbed air between
my incoming finger tip
and his whiskers or
incisors.
An assumed cute boop
results in bloodshed
or rough abrading licks,
my hand or his meal
depends on whose needs
prevail.
A strange noticing
paralyzes my next
action, any reaction
either way, staying in
or leaving his clutch
will be painful and
forgotten and
forgiven before
dinner time.
Regardless, I assume
ownership of him,
his care, and any
injury that results
from loving him as
I do.
love
can’t stop, even for one second
~for karen
this heart,
skipping rocks
with ease downstream,
constructing beats knowing
so little of the silly hopscotch of
the world, just the constant
push on its insides. no
wonder it spends
hour upon
hour pressing back.
with small miraculous feats-
one thought, one pump at a
time- all lines, blue, red, wish filled,
and fine- tell so many simple
stories on the skin
in sighs.
with a sure flow
so thick there’s really
little doubt for whom these
bellows toll. from where you perch,
how does it sound though? what
keys have you found? and
what traps have
you wrapped
around my soul?
at first I thought you
were a thief. oh this heart,
my gold, my light I thought you
stole it, instead you moved
in and built a life-
not soft or hard,
but just right.
what if we never were alone?
Just past the post,
keep walking.
Let your neck flex,
eyes raise, and
lock on a few future
intents.
Have patience.
Be gracious,
unfazed.
Then, step away
from devices.
Let loose
from disguises and
expect some fatigue;
face to face
is hard
with all of
this noticing
without
notifications.
a little procedure
the pen slipped when
the phone chimed.
the voice of the nurse
calmed then surprised.
it’s your turn,
she said,
follow me to the back.
at first
he didn’t
and she didn’t
respond to that.
instead,
he held her hand
in a way that
seemed to say
‘remember’.
remember the infinite
that brought us together.
remember our promise
to laugh afterwards no matter the pressure.
remember we choose
our forever.
remember we were good
before we met.
and
remember, he said to the nurse, neither of us are ready
to leave just yet.
the broken heart of an optimist
fights to stay open
without bearing closed fists
relies on disagreement
about whether holding back is best
notices that it hasn't noticed in a long while
launches into song, smiles,
and sings long after the song ends
and ends long after
their longing heart mends.
but and even as it lays shattered
after defeats
it glows up, shows up, and makes sure
every piece beats.
in the darkest hollow
this pain,
my chest,
handmade,
down lined
woven into
this hollow-
is dark,
compressed,
of
twigs and threads,
my bones
and marrow.
our blood,
a place,
hidden
safe and away
from
sharp teeth,
claws,
and
sorrow.
high up
enough
to hold me
where few
can
ever
follow;
released
from grief
I remember
a warmth
that once
slept beneath
my breast.
far
away
in this
forest,
of
memories,
keepsakes,
and
unrest.
no tests,
it's
just me
calling
out to
those
who have
outgrown
our nest.
a song
so sweet
there's
no choice
but
let my
heart break
I
guess.
words keep wolves at bay 