Human Theater

In this parenthetical moment
of in-between
she enters
he leaves
this improvisational stage

from not to not

incomprehensible
these in-the-wing abysses
separate or the same
spawning random chances
for beginnings and endings.

Waking Up

Waking at early light
sweet, beckoning sounds
delicious to listen

crawling up a sleepy slope
toward consciousville from dreamland
rarely do these two worlds meet

easy to slip back
adventuring beyond logic
and quotidian concerns

not ready yet to hurry up
to leave behind unbounded mind
for practiced perceptions

a catbird, robin, titmouse
keep wheedling, cajoling me
to engage with another day.

Summer Nativity

When I’m all alone
in the nursing home
awaiting my last fate

I’ll remember this day
three asleep on lakeshore beach
warmed by soft-air breezes

grandson towel-wrapped
napping on his Mémé’s lap
Pep dozing beside

a Michelangelo tondo
da Vinci family portrait
of nestled, modeled bodies

cosseted for just a moment
in absolute, purest love
a miracle of humanness.

Frustrated Suitor

A love-seeking towhee-she
passionately attracted

to vivid window-image
of resplendent, resident male

at first just gentle pecking
then eager tap, tap, tapping

returning each half hour
with escalating ardor

now basher against glassy pane
with wing-splayed, come-hither fervor

the handsome, ceramic toucan
still celibate on his indoor perch.