Stinky Cheese

we used to hang our feet
out the back window of the car,
holding the bag of Limburger cheese
between our toes to keep the smell
as far away as possible from our delicate noses.
Dad would have killed us if
we lost it, his weekly treat, but
if we were good, we’d stop at
the Flame steak house for a peanut
butter sandwich on the way home.
Now I treasure the cheese with the
most stink per dollar, my children
complaining about how bad it
smells, hold the bag out the
front window of the car while
holding their noses.

Three Women in Black

three women in black,
not in mourning;
lacy, silky and sheer black,
sipping glasses of Proseco
on a sunny afternoon on
the Plaze,
colorful tablecloths flutter
in a slight breeze.

another day without Michael Jackson

another day without Michael Jackson,

the little black boy who lost his face

to show business, no millions could erase

the pain, nor the comfort of small children.

Music, madness, magic; Michael finally

disappeared into his Neverland.

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/orbitgal/3661997182/

The Fourth in Goss-Grove

no small fireworks here,
young men hunch over black

cylinders in the streets,

their silhouettes highlighted

against a flash of light as

they run back to safety

in time to watch a streak

skyward, a resounding
crack echoing from house
to house, waking small children,
setting dogs to barking
and tired parents cursing.

Blue Lake

clouds drape themselves
softly over sheer rock
walls, like silk over
a woman’s bare leg,
only revealing enough
to excite the imagination

Reflections after a hard day at work

to fight and then walk away
empty handed, but not beaten
is to find freedom.
to lean over to inhale the sweet smell of
roses in the garden is
to find truth,
to rest in the arms of a loved one
is to find happiness.

conversations on a bike ride

her sister who can’t take care of herself
my boss who can’t support my work,
the smell of honeysuckle in our nostrils,
pink clouds fill our retinas,
the Reagan years, how he wasn’t
too bright, but sure was optimistic,
whether to look for a part-time job,
what country her daughter
will end up visiting this summer,
a cool breeze across damp skin when
we cross the creek, a tired final
climb up the hill before heading
home.