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2023 Poems
January-April
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2023 Poem List January-April
A Drop Print this poem only
This room lives in sun
mornings I’m here with the plants
life springs from my light
planted in me by a muse
a drop of eternity
Written 1-6-23

A Nap Print this poem only
It was too late to take a nap
twilight squinting into night
but I needed to loosen the grip
of the day.
The twisted tautness in my gut
had risen to my shoulders
into my neck through silent strings
that played a blue elegy.
After half an hour I opened my eyes
thanked the darkness for the rest
picked up a small volume of Rumi
who woke me to his dawn.
Written 1-13-23

Anchor Print this poem only
What is this dark anchor in me
holding me in my present comfort
when I know there are dirty dishes to wash?
Do I forget I’m a mere steward of this wealth
in a lavish open-hearted universe?
Breathe in free oxygen
swept in by unchained wind
wake up to its fragrance
swim in its musk
abide in its love
for the moment it takes
to decide to get up off the lounger.
Written 1-7-23


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Heart of a Woman Print this poem only
Slender and humble in its youth
the oak grew in moist earth near the bayou.
Roots pierced the dark land
ate the rich gumbo
silently morphed facets of soil
into a heart
with unexposed power and poise.
Across the bayou
on a screened porch
a young girl watched the new rain
make puffs of dust in the dirt
she daydreamed in the drifts of clouds
and wondered where they were born.
A young man and his friend
off the beaten path of their travels
found the town pool.
Swimming, he saw the beautiful girl
perched above the deep end
and across longitudes and latitudes
of loving, laughing, and weeping
they birthed and raised a family.
The bark’s ridges and gaps reveal
centuries of storms and floods
the oak’s long limbs laden
with life, wisdom, and altered environments.
These two entwined lives enriched
by learning and prodigious practice
their wine a vintage
of passionate enchantment
imbibed by thirsty learners
across decades beyond ordinary borders.
But she like the oak
with open arms
her strength born in good soil.
Hers is a rare power of gentle love
hers a courage born
of some cosmic connection
at the heart of her beautiful humanity.
Dedicated to my cousin Melanie on her eightieth birthday. Both of us born in the Durand line in southern Louisiana not too far from the Evangeline Oak with lives seemingly divergent but somehow parallel and ultimately connected, I think, by a power greater than ourselves.
Written 2-7-23
Limits of Friendship Print this poem only
I went to my friend
almost afraid to expose the need
not knowing if he would be deaf to it.
As I spoke of my father
who was not there
to show his boy how to be a man
I recounted my losses
and the load of grief I felt.
My sadness clung to me
a heavy suit of chainmail on a dark knight.
I could feel my face
drooping in lamentation
unable to be the smiling grinning buddy
I normally showed with him.
Seemingly unable to enter into my pain,
my friend, a man of great intellect, character and conviction,
responded only with a litany of his own.
I tried to listen but my burden
made it a mighty climb.
Now I know my pal is only human
my expectations too great
and I am wrestling
with my self
sweating MY
deafness.
Written 1-28-23

My Problem with Religion Print this poem only
I thought religion was it.
A gnarly piece of wood
always trying to fit,
I ran and ran as far as I could
took the road east then west
to find the one that was best
jumped in with both feet
since daddy always said
do what you do
work and sweat til complete.
My problem was I couldn’t stick
to this branch
whittle til nice and slick
that other branch looked too good
so I took it -
my piece of wood!
But it wasn’t
so I quit
to search again.
I had to seek
and find something new
risky steeper deeper
and true.
Written 3-9-23
Train into Night Print this poem only
I took the train into the tunnel
the car lit with candle glow
there standing just so
my brother with a wan look and a slight grin
I leaned to kiss his forehead, felt the taut skin
Mom across from him,
I placed my cheek against hers
two tears from the deep cavern of her sadness
fell on my constant brow
Dad faced me with dazzling cheer
eyes full of joy that his son was here.
Awakening from the abyss of night
I arose with a smile inside
grateful for an intimate ride
with that poignant cast
an interlude to abide
and flutter in the sails of family
arrived from a pulsar of the past.
That day visiting with friends
I hugged every one tight
cherished the lush
precious
present
of the living.
Written 3-12-23