Turntail

us as semirandom planedots
in softly scattered existence
is not enough I want to turn
tail scurry back under the
security of covers where
tandem ribcage risefalls
are a meditation on that
we are together definitely
together finitely together de-
finitely together together together

Cleaning #4

I fold the Shabbos
tablecloth in half
the embroidered side
interior along with
the crumbs of today

fold it in half again
lay it over the back
of a kitchen chair think
What if I could fold
you as well

into the topside
of this tablecloth
take you home
unfold you next
Shabbos in my

own kitchen

Cleaning #3

I am careful
about which books
I let touch

each other Partly
out of respect partly
out of fear of crossed

boundaries They won't keep
to themselves, you see,
unless I make sure of it

They'd share secrets at night
be different in the morning

Mixed, you know, and unsure
what religion to raise the kids

Slowcooker

The best thoughts
are the ones that form
along the edges after years
of de and re composition dark
and savory their histories
no longer discernible

Comfort

is two lovers
knowing they look
out their windows
at the same moon

is two estranged
persons knowing
they pray toward
the same God

Winter wondering

Each placement
of foot on icy
path a hesitant
calculation

Gloved hands at
the ready tongue
between teeth eyes
downcast thoughts

of Maybe I'd have
tread upon you
a bit more
gently

would've been more
ginger with what
I was doing
to you had I

realized it's not
only when I'm
afraid of slipping

that I need to look

Can't see

My skin glows like the lake at nightfall
My hips are round and
smooth as riverstones my
hair is like gazelles like
waterfalls my elbows
like swans' curved necks

My hands have turned to
furled blooms my lips
to moonbeams and what
have you done with my
eyelashes so dark and
velvety I can't see
anything but your
affection

Strip the animals the
plants the nature
from me let me be
human to you
Put away your pen

It is not necessary
not here
not now


(after reading the first two chapters of
Shir haShirim, the Song of Songs)

Keep me aware

Keep me aware of your presence
Make me talk to you as if I took
Benadryl and should not be allowed
to fall asleep Keep me awake with your
Praises keep my hands busy on the
timbrel tie Bells to my feet so I will
move and Remember you do not lose
me to my own Music Do Not Lose Me
to my Dreams Keep me here
put the words on my lips

Hanukkah Night 6

A nostrilbreath sigh
flicks the flames a-
dance they are seven
hummingbird wings

Closeness

As we stand on the porch
saying goodbye I look up

and see the slender cylinders
of the wind chimes moving

in the breeze never quite
enough to sing with

each other and I ask
how is it that you can be

so fine with this how
can you keep from reaching