you asked me what I had done with your letters

-if I had even opened them-

if I had read them

I might have known then that you left her;

that you were coming in the spring.

and what can I say but that I might… Read full post »

I heard that you left her today

and I remembered that she always called you Blue.

I never did.

I remembered your mother standing in our yard

-          June,

June,

              &n… Read full post »

your kisses were so gentle

that I mistook them

for the snow falling softly,

decorating the branches.

I mistook your touch for the wind

moving through the bare trees.

you were the winter itself

stealing upon me.

how restful it is,

to be in your arms.

how calm it is… Read full post »

let me confess

my humble love

grown of earth

no flower

more practical sustenance

a spear of corn

no red color

(except at the root)

pale yellow

like butter

kernels pressed

tight together, like

baby’s toes

slender body

wrapped in

translucent silk

paper husk

let me confess

my humble love… Read full post »

I made my bed beside the railroad tracks

laying down as the deer

in their wild and grassy places

and folded my hands

as if in prayer.

I made my bed beside the white clay road

banished from your call

as lost as any dog.

who can count the ways… Read full post »

others may write about eyes

about glances

what would I know of this?

-my sight extinguished at his touch

his hair running though my hand like water,

his lips like currents

pulling me deeper

drowning me in his breath.

in the morning – departing

buttoning clothes

like children gathering slippery… Read full post »

they say we are made of earth.

this must be true, because I crumble at your touch.

like dust I scatter on your breath.

they say we are made in the same vein as the stars.

they are our ancestors perched above us,

each in its own silver chair.

this too… Read full post »

they tell me there are directions – north, west

up, down and left.

but how can this be? when no matter where I turn

I am always moving toward you.

there are maps that only the heart  can read.

it will tell you that sometimes

even the shortest distances are immeasurable,… Read full post »

the first time you held me

it was like a house burning in the night.

and for the first time

the world around me

-illuminated only by fire

seemed black, immense

frightening.

the moon a pale seed

buried in the earth

with no more light, no more substance

than ghosts, than… Read full post »

I left you today, love

though perhaps you didn’t notice.

I never left my bench,

never transgressed the garden wall.

still – for a moment – I was

as far from you as the first star.

I planned my escape as carefully

- as painstakingly – as any prisoner.

I… Read full post »

go ahead, steal my love

-what did it cost me?

nothing. like the wild and ragged flowers

gathered in the ditch – golden rod

meadow sweet.

how long will they last?

does it matter thief, if you leave me?

in a week?

in seven days or

seven years?

go ahead, steal… Read full post »

I promise you that I was never late, love

I pinned time to my chest, like tender threads

so I might always find you in the crowd.

it cost me, but I was never late - never left you to pay

the fare you didn’t have.

I gave you the… Read full post »

These past few months I’ve been taking some time off from writing.  I just finished my most recent novel and frankly, I’m a little burned out.  Taking a break from what you love can give you a little perspective though – so here is my list of the top five reasons… Read full post »

I’m taking a break from working on long form fiction (novels) for a little bit.  For the whole next six months.  The long and short of it is that I just finished a long, engrossing project and I’m a little burned out.  This six months off will allow my current project/… Read full post »

Dear Writing:

I think I need a little space.  You see we’ve been together since I was very young.  At least since I was eighteen I’ve been working continuously on a novel – nights, weekends – I even take you with me on vacation.  And here’s the thing &ndas/… Read full post »

This morning I was making summer holiday breakfast for my kids – eggs, bacon, and homemade strawberry jam on toast.  Not a hard or long task, but one that requires me to flip the bacon on time and not burn the eggs.  My oldest wandered into the kitchen and wanted to/… Read full post »

sometimes, I wonder

who I am love - now that

you are here.

now that these nameless

fears and desires are named.

I am different now that you are here.

even at the market

I count my coins so carefully.

I picture you in the café

pouring cream… Read full post »