there is no place

do you regret it

or was this the plan.

not stepping in.

the smallest shift

of time

and space 

moving violence,

to another place

where it is karma,

where it is due

or to a dead end

a black hole

sins hidden 

at the bottom of the sea.

but there is no place. 

there is no space.

maybe someone 

deserves the karma,

the hate.

but violence spreads violence

hurt to hurt to hate to hate

darkness to darkness 

pain spreading pain.

there is no place 

there is no place

spring called

spring called 

I had never heard her voice like that. 

cracked with sorrow. 

a ninth sister

she sings with tears

asks the sky questions

like why did god hide

from the violence, in fear. 

everything is green, growing. 

the trees flower 

the flowers still bloom,

their sweet colors

soothe the sadness.

their contrast pricks.

bitterness softens, again, again.

softens to quiet.

reveals the grief.

hot sun, brown our shoulders.

melt ice in the coffee.

blue sky, backdrop our cigarette smoke. 

lean in and listen. to our talks.

we talk of change. of plans. of days.

not said outright,

but we talk of pain.

magnolias flower

magnolias flower

it’s spring and i 

am breathing differently.

night walks 

scavenge for lilies and peonies

notice the empty

ache in my mind. 

the words have drained 

replaced by a hunger. 

a silent hope. not turned to thought yet 

magnolia flower, 

it’s spring and i, 

am split on the inside. 

one year, my tangerine

one year

full of everything

favorite color, 

my tangerine

yellow sapphire 

warm window,

flung open  

cold hands,

recent thaw 

you’re in the soft dirt

turning over

ready for new growth

i love how you shake things up

and bring them to life. 

i love the way you see. 

squinted eyes,

realize

im your tiger

you’re my bird

or sometimes

the other way around.

you look at me, 

like you look at the garden

i’m the luckiest honey.  

i tackle you to the ground 

& you kiss my face.