Wednesday, May 23, 2018

The Backbone Flute

(after Vladimir Mayakovsky)

I place my hand
across her lower back
where the ridges form
finger rests
like a musical instrument —

a flute
hidden inside her body —

then blow
ever so lightly
between her shoulder blades
to make music.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Torn Earth

They tore the earth
to make room
for the highway
entrance ramp

healed over as rock face,
it doesn't talk to us
anymore.

It weeps ground water
here and there
and whispers saplings
like stitches and scars.

Pain we mistake
for experience.