Life
The door opens.
Her shoes come off.
A purse and coat settle in a chair.
It is evening.
Dinner is quick.
The dishes are set aside.
Her clothes drop in a heap.
A nightgown slides into place.
Water runs briefly.
Brushes attend teeth and hair.
The lights go out.
Bedcovers rustle.
The door opens.
His footsteps are soft.
A tie is removed.
It is late.
Light fills the bathroom.
The toilet is noisy.
A cry comes through the wall.
Silence is forgotten.
Sheets are lifted.
Their lips meet in a kiss.
A hand gently caresses.
There is time.
Sunlight falls on a pillow.
A shower runs.
Clothes come out of a closet.
Breakfast is ready.
The day begins.
Shoes are slipped on.
Her purse and coat are taken.
The door closes.
written April 1980
Fare Maiden
Had we but world enough
This coyness were no crime
But our moments are fleeting
And your latex gloves
Avoid my yearning touch
In your eyes I see paradise
But yours see only my coins
Ethereal versus material
Each time I see you
I hope the bar will rise
Not on the road ahead
But on our life together
Alas, your hope seems only
For exact change
written in 2009
Happiest
We are happiest when we are blind
To ugliness
To disorder
To the truth
We are happiest when we are deaf
To cries
To noise
To the truth
We are happiest when we are numb
To pain
To imperfection
To the truth
We are happiest when we are ignorant
Of others
Of the world
Of the truth
We are happiest when we are carefree
Blind
Deaf
Numb
Ignorant
written January 2010
Save one
Orphan of the flood
Cat in the park
Dog at the pound
Day for rest
Chocolate for later
Dollar for charity
Trump to play
Point to make
Planet to live on
Secret love
Night to remember
Dance for me
written January 2010