Saturday, April 29, 2017

Fade to Nowhere

I’ll just fade into nowhere
my past like a flare into the night
I don't dare
because of the fear I feel
that no one saw
the brief burst of color
in a night sky filled with satellites
broadcasting another game
another 80’s movie
or rerunning a game show

I’ll just fade into nowhere
this moment like a flare into the sky
Stranded on an island
searching for a rescue unit
in an endless blue of
ocean and sky
not a cloud to be seen
or rain to come still
my thirst for something
more than all this space

I’ll just fade into nowhere
my future like a flare that won’t ignite
The wick wet from
tears I’ve tried to
dry with your love letters
and mail from the strangers
who seem to know
nothing of me
but want everything
I’ve built this life with

I’ll just fade into nowhere
I’ll just fade

Fade

I’ll just fade into nowhere

Monday, April 10, 2017

House to Home


There is a blue hand towel
on the floor below the right corner of the dishwasher
It leaks sometimes
I don't know why
The front door is scuffed with colors
    from the different door decorations
There are socks
in crumbled balls on the living room floor
Crumbs under the table
Toothpaste on the bathroom mirror
This is a house
        With a yard that has a few dandelions
           Nicks on the wall
And the roof has been replaced

But this is also a home
Filled with bubble baths
Family dinners
And groans when mom says it is time to clean the rooms
Pictures hang on the wall
capturing moments of joy
The DVD player has the girls’ favorite movie
The radio the boys’ favorite station
The pantry
filled with cereal and Pop-Tarts
three flavors of chips
and boxes of blueberry muffin mix
The hour is late
Time for bed
Stories and goodnights fill
the hallways
As this house rest from being a home

Friday, April 7, 2017

To the Teenage Boy Walking to School

It's been four years
since I've been in the classroom
but I still recognize the gait
    backpack slung low on the shoulders
earbuds in
    eyes on the sidewalk
head down, just a little
not gazing up at all
as if afraid to look the sun in the eye

I could tell from the look
I wonder what happens every day
    Do they taunt you
Is there someone who hates you
for no reason
Tearing up your homework between the bells
or breaking your pencils
    leaving you to take notes with a stub
or worse
    asking the teacher for a pencil
    bracing yourself for them to roll their eyes
    asking you why you never have a pencil

I speed by
    Life moves fast in the morning
    In my rearview mirror
    I watch you slowly shuffle along the sidewalk
    The school only two blocks away

    I say a small prayer
    that maybe today will be a good day
    for you