grid work

that old bend

a bridge across it

orion reflected on bay

cup full with infusion

lake city, long sound

between street and shore

baskets on mule

large bell

dock root and nettle

soaking

the patience grid

bleachers at long game

lash of wind upon broad view

tight weave

when stitch is laid even

spell of understanding

collecting stones along coast

constitutional

foggy port where ferry returns

eyes write first sentence

suitcase poem XXII

that which drapes from. aloft only. rising up to stay. sway of notion. cobbled trace makes path. strong beam anchors intention. fortified stance. reverberations build stem. flesh and phylum. bridge between odds. undoing brings about beginning. course.

suitcase poem XXI

trying to push off resisting object. smothered by mumblings. calculations that are unequal to heart's pace. swatting at constant. opening clenched palm and watching several crescent moons fade. one glowing embrace pads brittle day. sitting moments force exfoliation. sway breaks stiff insistence. peeling back preconceptions to discover authentic grain. hot syllables fill ear. kicking away gathered uncertainties. primary focus sings.

suitcase poem XX

which door leads to second chances. chasm of what may be. that which you thought not possible. within book. below structure. around bend. inside forest. flash of doubt followed by surprise. starlight dissolves to pain. bright idea folded up neatly, slipped into box. lifting one's heavy limbs from burnt out mattress. one foot follows another across thin ledge. whisps of old settle in piles. plunge into ashes.

suitcase poem XIX

tug the essence. single stitch nudged. keen acknowledgment. soul rearranges molecules. flesh by flesh she explores the deeping tale. aromatic drift rustles oatstraw. beyond the particulars, conclusion is embroidered. she trots toward opening thread. texture makes no uncertain announcement. tapestry is discovered where cloth she nuzzled. a quickening breeze ripples linen across line.

suitcase poem XVIII

scent of sunrise. clatter and clink of opening. mixed with sand. overlooking municipal market. taste of waking. day might provide. possibilities captured and released. single focus upon star. swallowing sky.

suitcase poem XVII

who grasps
soft underside
both vulnerable and revolting
icy hand insists
a portal
where nightmares pass
& pass
drifting into ease
clinging apprehension dissolves
palms cup cleansing plash
stems fill clutch
color sky

suitcase poem XVI

leaves are the handprints of light
little bells sing as something drifts to earth
crystals grow with each piercing glance
they broadcast the news
with the shake of her hips seasons shift
a baby is born when candle is lit
each rotation finds a page torn
rust blooms in depression

suitcase poem XV

ripples radiate from sunk moment
she snatches tumbled lens each shower
a quivering instance breaks levy
what hadn’t now scours what had

old snaps undo luminous garment
sudden locket confirms theory
burnt edges of sepia episode
crumble in bejeweled clutch

a powder tin too late
cracked up bolted chamber
a backward glance too old
she ponders rearview mist

suitcase poem XIV

tucked inside tapestry
taken by giddy transgressions
strange slapdashery

surprised witness
offers sober assistance
uncorks silent vapor

to study composure
a settled intelligence
dignity of gingerly

perfumed fanfare
blends simplicity with exotic preference
removes plumes and precious stones

suitcase poem XIII

thrum in loft
bells command attention
she returns stern glance
sharp judgment slices passage
inner sanctum holds pliable matter
to spear a wavering possibility
pound shape from vapor
severity rises in vaulted chamber
brings warmth to stone walls

suitcase poem XII

cool attraction
scent of moist soil
where sipping espresso
leaf song

language of bark
clip clop on cobbles
conversation alights on ledge
shaking twigs from tresses

vast upper bower
candlelight against white wall
stories caught in folds of curtain
sealed landscape

byway for delivery
what footprints
an intended exchange
eyes lock across aisle

suitcase poem XI

to differentiate ajar and undone
spray of foliage beyond gate
assert certain canopy
light spill through spindles and circuits
trigger state of languid unlace
which seed may fall first
shrinking of clock
loose roving
measure of day across copse

suitcase poem X

lipstick smudge on princess sheet
spaghetti straps
cloth doll
they carry away secrets from back seat
leave behind crushed juice boxes
we build fairy huts, caterpillar kingdoms
her dangle earrings snag on oat straw
with self sketched stamp she posts mail
sews on patch so rip remains

suitcase poem IX

there was a switch
first that first that then that
aroma was a reference
slight expression in pocket
salvaged glint
eyes adjust to fresh exterior
newfound canopy flaps open
hint of crescent
all that remains
of grasp

suitcase poem VIII

she stitched a satchel for half finished sentences
it replaced that sinking feeling
a patch or two would mend the pitfalls
she loosed scrawl
wound a skein
certain tangled threads were beyond repair
ever deeper she plunged
there was a sheen to her discovery
it heightened expectancy
buoyancy was essential to carry burden
not viable
yet valid
accurate incision enabled departure

suitcase poem VII

it wasn’t definite. her decision to ascend had obstacles.
she lifted glass and lit votive. shadows grew long. tossed

rock breaks face on water. intentions scatter. she lay on

lawn gazing at tall locust. the locus had shifted. she sought

peak and vale. values were taking shape. verisimilitude

loosely wrapped. rumpled it lay. shadows flickered. locked

trunk was tempting. she stored folded garment. she settled

to stitch anew.

suitcase poem VI

delicate chain lost in bodice
hint of lace
an ivy tattoo
wrangling tight denim
bangles chime from wrist
voluminous swing linen
rustle and snap
tap of heels
low slung cling in crepe
sheer summer
gathers closed the kimono
silk brocade and wide brimmed hat
whisper of knit tights
warp and weft
bronze toe through black sandal

suticase poem V

small girl on yellow bike spins toward hollow
she passes grooming business, opossum, new house on hill
blast of silt from bb gun leaves her chaffed
she turns back to brook side
in sneaky light after bedtime
pens bookpage with obsessions
always in addition
a quest for completion
cemetery, asylum, lakeside lot
the random
she seeks

suitcase poem IV

when the turn begins
a rounding of the flesh
certain corners now past
questions of vortex and matrix
sorted
outbound
methods of careful handling
fledgling efforts to fit
when the template is arranged
tilted
clock ticks a time not yet told
beholden to change