The Wishing Way

I do not know the Wishing Way,
or when to toss, and what I'll say
when I am asked to speak in turn.
I'd rather watch the sunset burn
its way down towards some distant shore
away this day to light no more.
I do not know the Wishing Way.
Tomorrow's there, but I must stay
right here, as darkness fast descends
on what were once the dearest friends.
Keep watch in sweet and gentle dreams;
don't try to figure what it means
'til wake; once more a right new day-
a whisper, "This! The Wishing Way!"

This year, Spring arrived

This year,
Spring arrived in a flurry
of rainy days the winter
missed, and filled our resevoirs
with hope.

This year, Spring arrived in a hurry.
A sudden warmth, but still
the mist
that seemed to hug each morning.

And I was here, not waiting
for anything to be different.

And here I was, just weeping, sweeping
up my broken pieces,
holding each one out to warm,
to shimmer in the afternoon sun;

Just still,
watching the twilight
of the day that won't return.

This year, Spring arrived,
and I am here,
not waiting.

Oh Why Are We As Fragile

Oh why are we as fragile as the dream I had that day;
the car door slammed,
 the jar was jammed,
 the chicken's ran away-
oh why are we as fragile as the scream that seemed to say,
"Just stop the clock
 and lock the lock
and pray before you play."
Oh why are we as fragile as the daydream on that gray
 and cloudy shroud of pigeon
proud to flock and fly away.
 Oh why are we so fragile in our earthy human way;
the spilling milk
on softest silk-
I hope today you'll stay.

Waitress

The waitress sees things.
She sees the way you smile and sit down but then don't look at each other.
And your legs are crossed under the table
And your finger muscles are as tight as your forehead muscles while you read the menu.
The waitress sees things And doesn't tell you.
The waitress writes things.
She takes your order and thinks, "how can you be skinny and still eat like this?"
She wonders, "does it bother you that you are eating white bread," she wonders if you have enough food when she herself is hungry.
She wonders, will you be satisfied, and if so how can you be so free, so carefree, so wrecklessly, charmingly free,
And she wonders if you have enough food.
And she wonders about your contentment.
The waitress sees the things you weren't thinking about.
You left exactly 3 bites and those were the creamiest. But you had eaten off the dry bits, and those are now gone.
The waitress sees and writes down your drinks
and takes notes in her mind.
They are critical notes of what she must do, and how she must do it, later
In her own life when she must make a choice.
She must make so many choices;
The waitress is going to have to make these choices sooner or later,
And they have nothing to do with you.
But you have influenced them, more than she will later remember.