By |

perhaps too soon

to say for sure

but if not for the people,

if not for us, for our voices,

our loud anguished cries, our outrage

if not for the brave citizens

taking to the streets to record

the unjust, demented actions

of these zealous marauders & thugs,

surely the violence in Minneapolis

would have continued unchecked.

*

I am proud.  I am grateful.

By |

as the outrage —

steeped in sorrow —

escalates, our furious nation

recoils in horror & disgust

but with resolve

tinged fire-hot in anger.

*

we spit in the faces

of this twisted evil,

these masked identities

protected & nurtured

into a deepening violence

by an unholy malevolence.

*

until such actions cease,

our voices will grow only louder

and more fierce.

for what is right, for justice

for Alex and Renee,

brave & strong & sweet.

By |

snow powder tracks

into the garage —

concrete floor, slick & cold.

working quickly,

I fill bin and bird feeder

with black sunflower seeds

for our feathered friends,

who must be as weary

of this frigid winter as we are.

By |

his clever maneuverings

how he tilts his little puppy head

the many ways he scams us

out of treats throughout the day

those soulful eyes

his belly-rub entreaties

the playful growls and groans,

notes of pleasure

telling us we are loved