exquisite dessert
of freshly broken ears —
dark chocolate bunny

divvying up
a bowlful of jelly beans —
let Easter be small

tell me a story
one your family has told
that starts with mercy

storm at the windows —
we wait for the birds
to sing the all-clear

draw in the circle —
you'll have to come closer, now
for me to hear you

spurred to wild growth
by a flickering candle —
forced rhubarb

far enough from home
that the day's first bird songs
are unfamiliar

how am I still here
planning a run tomorrow
if she is gone?

(for EV)

storm in the Catskills —
if we'd stayed one day more
we'd be snowed in now

March madness —
underground bamboo ready
to take all the shots

just a light dusting
this late-in-the-season snow
un-dimming the world

dark-eyed juncos —
just the flash of their tails as
they leave us behind

just enough moonlight
for us to see the snow
as it starts to fall

stowaway spring —
we drive north towards the snow
backwards in time

cut back and unwind
last year's wisteria —
make room for spring

memorial meeting —
our stories tracing the shape
of the one we've lost

(for GM)

fish crows overhead
crocuses underfoot
sunshine all around

more silver showing
with every haircut —
senior discount

driftwood tangle —
the boys make a ship of it
using towels for sails

bicycles waiting
for the garage door
to open again

today's howling wind —
recycling
the recycling

so windy today
the soap bubbles
blew themselves

the morning's first song —
rasp of a red-winged blackbird
scraping the sky

all her recipes
meant for a full house —
leftovers again

every morning
a green brighter than the last —
late for work again

we look away 
as if that will change something —
spring's first mosquitos

grief's underground stream —
all the places I expect
and want to see her

(for KD)

opening act —
ground level check-in chirps
just before the song

stay up late with me —
when we can't explain how we feel
we'll coin a new word

standing water
again in the old places —
I dream of swimming

background buzz —
the irretrievable pick
inside her guitar