The birthday dinner that wasn’t

A proper birthday dinner
at The Kitchen,
a late 50th,
an on-time 22nd.
A Rusty Nail and a Kitchen Sunset
for starters,
aborted.
No I.D.
No exceptions.
No problem.
We left.

A geological perspective on Arches National Park

A geological perspective of Arches National Park

geologists teach that these
fantastical structures are
shaped by wind, water and sun.

looks to me like god dropped
globules of mud onto desert
floors and forgot to clean up
after himself.

i’d say god was a she, but we
know that women are better at
cleaning up after themselves.

mostly.

Take the U-turn

Take the U-turn

Climb hard straight ahead,
then take a sharp U-turn to the right.
The rock wall in front of you will
block your path, the one you have
been following so assiduously, hardly
considering whether it makes sense
or not anymore, that decision you made
long ago that seemed right
at the time.
Take the U-turn, or
you will be blocked by the wisdom
of the ages, manifestation of
millennia laid down, pushed up
then worn by wind and water,
natures’ decisions taken, reversed,
cracked, recast and formed into
an unequaled beauty. Take the U-turn
and learn from Her wisdom.

Daniel

Daniel

You were due this day
twenty two years ago.
Three more days and
the energy level in the
world quadrupled, and
entropy was up a decade
manifested in a small apartment
overflowing with baby
paraphernalia, an extra
set of grandparents. We were
two exhausted parents. Now
bikes, battered travel bags,
a dog eared copy of On the Road,
flamboyant high topped red leather
combat boots, lost duvet covers,
your various accoutrements.
You’ve tried to eclipse your
sister over the years, but she’s
gotten a lot stronger.
I’m still waiting for you to
pick up the shower curtain
and used paintbrushes you used
for your last artistic creation.
It may be awhile.

Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons

I decided on the suit with the pink and blue candies
scattered across my body and the hot pink swim cap.
I will flounder across the pool simulating a crawl,
appropriately named as a child learning to walk,
They will smile at me, stifle a laugh, and
when I catch my breath, I will smile, too.

The agony of Red Chilis

The Agony of Red Chilis

Never lean
over to
admire the
beautiful
red color
of your
freshly
cut hot
red chili
peppers
or
you will
spend
the next
four hours
rubbing
ice cubes
on your
nose

Written on the wall

Written on the wall

I love you!
A salve for lonely hearts,
those who push shopping carts
filled with dirty sleeping bags,
aluminum cans and other found treasures.
I love you!
Written to all of us who wander
by the 18th Street bridge abutment,
our heads down, rich or poor,
happy or sad, those with faith and
those without. The answer
is right in front of us.
The answer is love.