I remember to
pour water on the embers —
hard not to mourn fire

knowing the water
will slip through my fingers —
cupping them anyway

first song of the day
one I don't recognize
just passing through

call and response —
I hold onto our stories
hoping you return

all these sore muscles
from the day I tried to
catch you as you fell

snow-scented breeze —
imagining the gardens
all decked out in white

Kennedy Center —

remember all that crushed red 

velvet just for us?

frozen fairy ring —

the last story grandpa told

spinning out of reach

(for Wayne)

put back Audre Lorde,
bell hooks, Kimberlé Crenshaw,
June Jordan…