Misery

I say I

absolutely will not hate myself

though

memories in muscles, tendons, ligaments

heart, belly

conspire.

They cannot speak

in words

yet

there is in every bloody cell tonight

lamentation

the unfathomable

unstoppable

nagging

that nothing ─

warm milk, the bath, the late-night call to one who loves me ─

soothes.

I want to be somewhere

not here ─

far from this day’s

boredom

co-worker’s harsh words

loneliness ─

to inhabit

some other body

that remembers

the cradle of capable arms,

the lullaby’s lilt.

Still I

sit with

breath

in

out

in

and wait

for tomorrow.

Homage to Maverick

I only met him three or four times,

Plenty Abell Bright Star (Maverick)

yet

when I heard the old setter died

my heart ached

for a being

so beautiful ─

in silken, long, curly, black coat

and gold fringed feathers

spitting image of my sweet boy ─

Maverick’s issue,

whose dark eyes can see your soul

and almost no one passes on the street

without a look

of amazement

and joy