something gained
in translation
on lonely nights
when the barred owl
gives the moon its voice

amongst the pamphlets
neatly stacked
on a library table
the clean edges of bookmarks
no one has used

a matchless fire
of yellow and orange
the sulphur-shelf mushroom
refuses to
conceal itself



*also called the chicken mushroom or chicken-of-the- woods. 

an old city

posing for its portrait

the sunrise

etched into windows

and church spires

the homeless town of hopeville
to be demolished
outside the railroad tunnel
an eviction notice held
with a stone against the wind


http://tinyurl.com/247nz8z

no right words
to tell survivors
of an airplane crash
that other family members
have perished

spring clipped away
as though it were fall
nothing seems to slow
the loss of green
in the leaf scorched maple

in the distance of a day
there's not a word
between the sounds
of one door opening
and another one closing

for over 60 years
the gardenway motel
its neon sign
still taking in
weary travelers

eye surgery scheduled
the day after

mother's day

she says the fire pinks
are her favorite flower