They say that for seven years
She paced the widow’s walk
Upon her fine clapboard house
Watching the horizon by the hour
For a ship that never came
And then one day she hired
A fine young man talented in
Carpentry and building and
She had the widow’s walk
Removed ~ the boards burned
It seemed she had decided to
Reclaim her life and her heart
And her friends were glad for her
And gladder still when she gave
Her heart and hand to the carpenter
The siren startles me
From my aimless thoughts ~
I watch the ambulance
Jockey for position
At the crowded intersection ~
And I think of the
Anxious hearts awaiting
Its arrival ~ straining
To hear the first notes
Of its wailing cry ~
Counting down the
Life of a loved one
In agonizing seconds ~
Storming heaven with
A mix of threats and
Pitiful entreaty ~
Making deals they would
Have scorned just
Moments prior ~
So much resting on
The swift arrival of this
Vehicle of mercy ~
Will it be in time … ?
(originally published May 19, 2015)
For a moment I am frozen
Where I stand ~
Why can’t I breathe ~
The air’s grown thin ~
I barely can remember
My own name ~
Where did you come from ~
How do I know you ~
There’s something so familiar
In your unfamiliar face ~
You look more than a little dazed ~
I know exactly how you feel ~
My heart is still lodged
Somewhere in my throat ~
And then you smile ~
And all at once
The world fades
Into view again ~
A different world now
For you and me ~
And so it begins ~
(Originally published July 19, 2012)
Annabelle was the gayest
I’ve ever seen her ~
Gliding across the floor
In the arms of
Her latest suitor ~
Gazing into his eyes ~
Giving every
Appearance of having
A wonderful time ~
And even though
It was the wedding
Reception for her
Best friend ~ who had just
Wed her former fiancé ~
You would never
Have known it ~
Even when the happy
Couple drove away on
Their honeymoon journey ~
She continued to dance
And laugh ~ until the
Last guests began to leave ~
Which is why we
Were all so surprised ~
When she went home
And drank a glass
Of poisoned wine ~
The note she left said only ~
Forgive me ~
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