their denial,

it’s deafening

Death takes note

of the cheerful & the forlorn

none shall ever be forsaken

empty limbs, bare branches

rockin’ & rollin’

in the bitter March breeze

~ for Shelly

pita chips & dip

honey fire

starlings in flight

evaporating snow-melt

passerine gunfire

crow’s Midwest dialect

chives burst through wintered soil

fragrant green shoots—

reaching skyward for air, sun & water

PET scan results

more of the same

she tires so easily

yes, more of the same

I hope I’m still able

to love the color orange

after all of this,

should we survive it, that is

sticky notes

pastel pinks, yellows & teals

colorful reminders

to enjoy my life

vulgarly violating

the obsidian blackness

neighbor’s security light