A Politician's Promise

A promise that isn't kept isn't a vow, 

It's a bandaid of words, stops the bleeding for now.

Empty phrases don't always grow great expectations,

they are visions of could have beens, chance revelations. 

Words still have meaning, despite what is said,

but the meanings can change on their way to your head.

Sometimes what is spoken is not what is vowed,

it's a desperate attempt at appeasing the crowd. 

The Sound of Music

Radio silence, transistor broken,

Straining for signs of life, static unspoken.

Listening hard for the words left unsaid

Turning it up so I feel less undead. 

Cacophonous symphony, dissident chords,

Playing to sold-out shows, tired and bored. 

White noise in darkness, backbeat to begin,

Stop me if you've heard it, my personal hymn.

My set list is short, so I play on repeat

No one will notice if I skip a beat.

Home Sweet Home

Searching for home since I lost it-

the ache in my bones is the proof,

I need the feeling much more than a place,

the safety much more than a roof. 

I need to once more find comfort

being at home in my skin.

Distant destination, a broad on vacation,

despite the location I'm in. 

Friday Night Lite

As soon as my eyes are clear, maybe I'll win,

Can't lose with full hearts but mine's empty again.

My ship's gone aground now, it's not coming in,

It's rudderless, utterless, grounded by sin.

A Mask, A Mission

Guess I'm too good at saving face-

I like the way this bitter tastes.

The albatross is feather light,

You'll hear no bark, I hardly bite. 

I make it seem so effortless

My pie's not crow nor humbleness,

I'm never harried, hairs in place

I glide along, a glacial pace.

I didn't study for this test.

My heart beats steady, in my chest.

Expect from me no telling look,

Read a cover, read the book.

Daily Conversations

Good morning.

Stop yelling.

No, you can't have coffee.

Sit down please,

politely.
Candy isn't breakfast.

Which bagel? 

No cream cheese. 

No, you can't watch Dora. 

Clear your plate,

don't spill it;

walk carefully with milk, please.  

You spilled it?

That's okay-

rags are in the kitchen.

Get dressed please.

You need pants-

you can't wear just a tutu.

Please share now, 

those aren't yours.

Let your sister play too.

Take turns girls.

Be kind please.

Now no one gets to play it.

It's lunchtime,

eat veggies.

Chocolate isn't healthy.

Let's color

on paper.

Walls are not to write on.

Tea party?

Of course, dear,

I'll go get the tea pot. 

Now nap time

(for mama)

No, I'm only kidding.

Go potty
wipe and flush.

Yes, you need to use soap.

Eat dinner,

no sugar,

first you eat your meatloaf.

You like it,

I promise,

it used to be your favorite. 

Time for baths-

with bubbles?

You need to get your hair wet.

I'll comb it.

Yes, gently,

I'm sorry it has tangles. 

Now jammies 

and teeth brushed-

you need a snack already?

A story,

and cuddles.

You get one drink of water. 

Good night dear,

I love you, 

I'll see you in the morning.

An Open Letter to My Husband

Dear husband,

I'm sorry.

I don't know why every time you ask me a question I feel like 

you're questioning me.

I'm sorry.

I don't know who told me that the strong are always right, 

but I know I've never lost a fight, 

even when I was wrong. 

I'm sorry

for never letting go enough to let you take control, 

a tug of war with our children as rope.

Aren't we supposed to be pulling on the same team?

I'm sorry,

for believing that Mother Knows Best was a mantra, 

but Father Knows Best was a joke.

Dear husband,

I'm sorry.

Snow Problem

The snow is falling
I wish we could trade places-
Rapture, me to sky.

Bon Bini

There is nothing you need 

that cannot be found here: 

winter gloves, 

a fishing pole, 

a sweatshirt that your mother wore, 

afghans crafted by great aunts or

loveworn books about wartorn countries.

Company or 

solitude, 

silence 

or raucous celebration, 

a fire in the dark winter or

a cool lake 

in the unbearable heat. 

No Offense, ee But...

Kisses aren't a better fate than wisdom,

Somewhere someone does lose all the time, 

Some dull things are meant to be re-sharpened,

Ideas, gestures, maybe this old rhyme. 

Our voices weren't meant for only singing,

Our lips were made for more than true love's kiss,

The moon's not a balloon above a city, 

Accept no happiness, but please grasp this.

To be your lips would not be such a small thing,

And darling sweet your hands are not that small.

Those hands will never easily unclose me,

And love is not the whole and more than all. 

It's true that winter doesn't last forever, 

But two has never been the half of one,

And flowers hold more beauty than our breathing, 

Our universe is reality, not un-.

Groundhog Day (Every Day is the Same)

Six more years of winter, 

oh, I'm sorry, Phil said weeks.

This cold and dark have frozen

all my sorrow to my cheeks.

When the sun returns I'm sure

my smile will do the same.

The gentle winds will call me;

now they're calling out your name.

My hands are cold and there's no chance

of ever getting warm,

The rain will come but first we'll weather

multitudes of storms. 

The lake with our reflections will

release the blackened ice-

we saw ourselves together once,

or maybe it was twice. 

Till spring, each day will start the same

and end the same way, too.

I'm just trying to stay warm

and find my way to you.