Going Out In a Blaze of Maybe

Foolish 

enough to fall

for the idea of a person

so that even after fireworks

when seething ashes

have turned bitter-blue

and almost forgotten

the idea of that person

remains

faint but always present

one still-warm ember

brooding below

capable of igniting

the memory 

of the idea of this person 

and tending it to full-blown

catastrophe

For Kerry’s February word list @skyloverpoetry on Instagram

Heart-Root

My heart’s 

like a succulent

retaining 

a lifetime of wrongs

fleshy with nerve

Hardy

equipped with tools

for surviving 

long periods of neglect

blooming infrequently

if at all

In feast times

I’ve learned 

overstoring leads to rot

and after long drought

replenishes

So I adapt 

but it’s hard to cultivate 

new growth

in this climate

For Friday Flash 55 offered by Joy at Verse Escape

Sorrowing

I am a mourning dove

considering what to do

about a day grey with worry

and consternation

Have I saved enough

studied taught enough am I

what is enough?

Uncertainty

like pigeon milk

roiled in morning’s belly

sunrise swaddled but I am

erect

perched with coo

It is up to me to decide

no permission required

sovran and innate

so I am

bragging my old wings today

Conflagration

We’ll require

more helicopters 

to enforce compliance

with the national curfew

and ensure that nothing

gets out of hand

during our regular

celebratory bookburnings

Weekly challenge at Earthweal: FIRE

Circular Logic

Listen 

for the sooted canaries

springing from rain grey

January days

concomitant moonless nights

as they

reveal the consequence

of unrestrained might

sustained disregard

for their faux-winter song

right in front of our earthworn 

weary and solitary faces

they are trying to warn us

if only we would 

listen

For Kerry’s January word list @skyloverpoetry on Instagram

Ever-Rising Star

My Sister-Poet Kerry O’Connor created this precious gem for me

in response to my last music prompt in the Imaginary Garden

and in honor of our friendship, for which I am always grateful

and may it last forever. I had to share to kick off the new year.

Love, love you, dear Kerry! Here’s to a creative 2020 xoxo