Time and Life

You are offering me a test
cheating me daily after 5 pm
and on weekends -- even less
But watch your second hand closely...
you aren't giving me your best
I'm waiting just outside of your whisper
while life presses her ear to your chest

Translation

I'm too ill of heart to write
but the lonely and continuous
warbled cry of the infant
translates my every tear

Quiet Bleed

Under quiet veins
Silent moments leave me weak
Bleed my faith away

In the Way

I roll my eyes
at the sight of another
sappy cliche
of love and passion
But from afar
I love thee always
in sonnet or song
sparks my jaded reaction
Sadness overwhelms
my feeling of loss
and my fragile soul
pretends to ignore the pain
I watch your world spin
into stability and control
and step out of the water
so you can swim freely again

Jealousy

Will poetry convey it
beautifully enough
even though
it is still ugly green and destructive?
My eyes absorb
too many facts
a photo
and too much in common
My mind predicts
the upcoming constriction
of my already slow, waning breath
Even though she's new
and different
much safer than me
I read her words
and know your heart

Please don't start

For D.

Love bends and sways
just like the tree
that stands so quiet
so peacefully
Its branches grow
the limbs bear fruit
but never break
entwining roots
Love remains strong
just like your gaze
upon my tears
while talking to the rain

Today’s Music

Today
life happened again
Despite the smell 
of cornstarched baby powder
upon lavender bathed
wriggling newborn skin
crisp, clean linens
brushing gently against
my moist cheek
the striking sounds of Vivaldi
previewing spring's symphony
with the rising melody
of the mid morning sun
attempting to dry
my crescendo of tears...
I still feel an emptiness
filled with the lyrics and music
of wasted years