Monday, September 28, 2015

the ways we feed each other



where their music's playing


Once upon a time, I went to sleep in a new bed, in a new city.
Music was playing in the room next door. 
The next morning, I woke up and learned that people were making that music.

                                                     Every stop is neatly planned for a poet and a two-person band.

Monday, September 21, 2015

hope

watercolor, 11x14"
Theraband, 4# medicine ball, reacher with cone, pegs:
Instruments of hope


In thanksgiving to the Westport team, for the patience, wisdom, and hope you have 

Thursday, September 17, 2015

hands



I'm no good at the wheel.  This is slab work: molded over a bowl and left to dry (and painted).



Hands:

Of my father
Soft, padded fingers
Outside on the back patio, I sit a little hot under the vinyl white hairdresser’s body cape, on the swiveling stool
Fingers gingerly over my head, as you duck down, bending your knees so you can get the straight view to cut my wet hair
(the only haircut you’re giving today that’s not a buzz)
You dry it with the towel – a whirlwind machine, encasing my entire head
You lightly turn the pages of Anne of Green Gables, To Kill a Mockingbird,
Enunciating in a lulling yet crisp voice, stopping and giving all the right emphases
as one familiar with the ways of words



of my mother
Wringing dry on the towel in the kitchen, as you turn around
Pausing, resting at the counter, nodding to an onlooker
Chopping vegetables
On the steering wheel of the car as you drive us to school
A ring from Granny – special, not so much because of the stone, but rather because of the emotional significance, you fiddle with it with your right thumb, take it off and set it in the ring of your watch
Kneeling, on the bathroom floor, scrubbing all the crevices: thorough.

Not pictured: the hand with wedding ring and pretty blue stones

of Nana
Outstretched for a hug, in your apron, after we’ve pulled up in the driveway
nails painted a rouge or classy, autumn rust shade embedded within gentle, soft fingers
A petite ruby red Notre Dame ring, a memento of that special place
scooping up bite-sized chocolate chip cookies
Giving me, little granddaughter seated at your counter, a task: rolling up bologna and cheese to put on a cold cut platter, for our Turkey Bowl meal
Up in the air, clapping together as you lean back, shaking your head,
laughing


Diet Coke today
of Pops
around a glass of Jack Daniels on the rocks, your request after you pull into our house
a large ruby Notre Dame ring, a memento of that special place
fingers drumming the table
In the air, as you tells a joke, “and so on and so forth,” in your thick Maine accent
Texas Hook’em horns formed in the shape of “I love you” hands – 
you prod us away, with love, as we begin the drive back to Virginia

...



"As the clay is in the in potter's hand, so are you in mine." Jer 18:6