the empty sky hangs X like an inheritance
above my head X no one wants to collect
red and decaying X trifles and mementos
these memories aren't X meant for burial
what i expected X or deserving of cremation
——
Tag: memory
Poem 20160312
i drank deeply
of the waters of
the river lethe
there was no
aftertaste
Poem 20160128b
pick through the rubble
look for the bits
worth keeping
a memory here
there a memento
are those the same thing?
muscle memory takes over
takes control
until the fibers
strained like spaghetti
in a colander
collapse, useless and quivering
look in the cup you made
of your hands
and drink the past
Poem 20150802
the heat of the sun
lingers long after
i have escaped
to air-conditioned indoors
in spite of a thick
layer of sunscreen
and the hat with that flap
that covers the neck
like i’ve been on safari
it tingles like a memory
that won’t form–
a vague image in the foggy
edges of a dreaming mirror
or a desire that won’t
expose itself to the light
hiding under the skin
to preserve itself
and the skin
Poem 20141228
struck in the thigh
the warrior drops to his knees
tasting blood
in his mouth
mixed with bitterness
mixed with fear
mixed with defeat
mixed with regret
he remembers a sunny vineyard
where the dust rose
as he ran the among the rows of
bulging grapes
remembers a girl
with skin as brown as a chestnut
lips as sweet rose petals
and hair the color of
Words and Feathers 