Posts for 2025 (page 6)

Statistics:
Divorce ends between 40-50% of marriages in the United States
        (decreasing in recent years);
in our foursome
it’s looking like 100%
        once our disparate storylines
        reach resolution.
Of all the similitudes and synchronicities among us
the threads that wove us together over the last decade
        colleagues, karaoke buddies
        Covid battle-worn Brooklynites
        dealers of sunshine in an oft-cloudy skyscape
I didn’t see this
making the list.

Imagine if it had all gone up in flames
when we had each other
to stomp the burning embers to ash
before we scattered into our lopsided compass rose
hours and time zones between us
our once daily chats
    relegated to group texts.
We would’ve rented a sick duplex on Fort Greene Park
buried the ashes in the backyard
and stayed up all night
four flickering lights
brighter together.

My goal was to write a poem everyday,
but life, even with all my good intentions, got in the way.
In my camera roll there are thousands of photos I have saved.
Instead of one thousand, one word descriptions from each missed date I will say.
…Including today.
Then, I will let the memories speak to create:

6/1 Ballerina
6/2 Chauffeur
6/3 Him
6/4 Interview
6/5 Fair
6/20 Carnival
6/22 Legs
6/23 Chicken
6/24 90s
6/25 Runaway
6/26 Seafood
6/27 Poodle
6/28 Bestie
6/29 Colorful

From watching my tiny ballerina on stage Sunday evening,
To becoming her brother’s chauffeur the next afternoon.
Damn, I love talking to him and had the opportunity to share some of his story,
In the same interview format as I did the Piano Man.

Thursday was opening day of the fair and everything was half-off.
Friday was the church carnival and baby had a ball.
By Sunday night, my legs were showcased in my colorful mini dress.
On Monday, we communed over chicken (fried, tacos, and wings)
After a weekend of event success.

Tuesday, I volunteered with my colorful 90s pants on.
I was tired from the long weekend and it was hard to keep up with my runaway toddler.
I took a new friend out for a seafood lunch date Thursday.

After a month’s on-end hiatus I finally talked to my bestie, whom I deeply missed.
I’m glad I made it to church after a long night with him,
And I wore something colorful.

If you find me on my knees
begging for a karmic chain reaction
please close the door.

For the question of what I do or do not deserve,
is not up to me
but I do have some opinions.

See how the court jester plays the fool for greater fools,
closes doors and opens windows,
slender and clouded,
onto a world that idolozes perfection
while it celebrates mediocrity;
and so quite by choice
I live my hermit life, and retreat by night
to the mysteries of dream-darkness,
where shadowy forms shapeshift
among the mirrors of my mind until
in an instant of kaleidoscopic wonder
Clare is walking the hills of Assisi,
stones pressing through thin sandals,
and, over there, miles away,
Teresa walks, discalced; poets, singers,
prophets reach out, their hands to ours;
parallel lives, from deep within an ancient Earth
where dirt and spit and spirit form and reform,
stretch far into a vanishing point,
then return
like the perfect V of geese in flight.
bursting through on wild wings,
splitting the sky
splitting
the veil between us,
proclaiming yes! Emmaus roads
are still to be trod, and yes! saints
still gather in communion; 
visions and trust more radical now,
doubts entertained,
clouds of unknowing
embraced,
there being
no other choice.

at the end of the
world I’d like to stay with you
if that’s alright thanks

In the distance, the nearby First Baptist Church of Montgomery
illuminates their cross gold
Like a warning to the town and all those within;
Sinners that stand, oblivious, to the might of it all.

In my hand, there is cold iron, aching my frozen fingers to the bone,
fuel guzzling through the hose.
Wind chill whips my hair in my eyes, blockin’ my view
Of the premonitions brought by morning.

In the sky, an oncoming sunrise bathes the horizon east of me in blood.
Scarlet muddles with the fading night,
As if Jesus Christ himself is an open wound
Dripping from the heavens.

Empty nest challenge
Active muscles atrophy
While biting back words
Exercise experience
Hard won but not requested

The state of the world sucks.
We have to do something; we
have to make noise and protest!
Take a picture of my sign and post
it on social media. How’s my outfit?
Do you think it goes with my sign?
Did you see the viral coffee drink?
That Revolution latte flavor will
look good in my picture. Hold on,
I need to get a video of everyone
protesting. Can you hold my sign?
Be right back, I will protest later.

You call me out beyond the shore,
Where charts grow faint, where stars seem few;
A trembling heart, a whispered prayer—
Yet trust becomes my ocean blue.

The tide may swell with roaring fears,
Waves climb like doubts against my chest;
But faith, though small, commands my soul
To walk where only trust finds rest.

Each step upon the shifting deep
Feels weightless under unseen hands;
For where I cannot see the floor,
You give me strength to brave new lands.

Lord, lead me farther still,
Past borders comfort tried to keep;
Sometimes the miracle I crave
Is simply daring faith to leap.

So I will listen to Your call,
Though winds may howl and waters sway;
For trust alone can build a path
Where feet may fail—but hearts obey.