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Poet, Artist and co-owner of Lasting Images Photography

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Backwards


In the mirror first I see myself 
then the streaks of Windex Mama left behind.  
On the third look, 
I see her staring back 
from another room , the cat under the bed,
the way that picture looks
backwards.
Today is the first time I’ve noticed 
that everything is tableau
worth writing down.
In the kitchen I arrange the objects 
on the formica tabletop.
Salt and pepper shakers shaped 
like Mickey and Minnie, a sticky syrup bottle,
Mama’s plastic plates with the pink rose
in the very center.
Our turquoise vinyl couch
always squeaks when I sit down
and unfold the funny papers.
The cartoons are Black and White,
the blurbs in balloon boxes.
Outside lawnmowers hum,
kids glide by on two wheel bikes.
The summer air is breathing peace.
We have not yet become human metaphors
for mass consumption.
I am no longer certain if I am there
looking ahead
or here looking back. 
I see myself in the mirror first
and then the world turned backwards.

Mermaid ballet


Saturday, January 08, 2011

Without Us

When we left 
time folded up the town,
stored it away 
in some dusty drawer.
I never doubted
the population logged  off 
with a sigh of relief 
they no longer 
had to keep up the pretense.
An artist 
at an easel had painted
cloud-streaked sky,
quaint shops,
rural landscapes.
Only our stepping
through the canvas
gave the image
breath. 
It was a brief reality.
Today I crossed the street,
peered at window displays that seemed
unchanged.
 I drove the short three miles 
to pasturelands where cows 
moved slow motion 
across sweet grass.
I couldn’t believe
a world went on without us--
without you beside me
studying a road map, 
calling out the names 
of towns like this 
with histories 
that only had a present life
as long as we were there.

Networked blogs

I am really enjoying Networked blogs! A great way to share my blog and to keep up with the blogs I follow.