Wednesday, November 15, 2023

“Canada” Geese in Portland

Seven generations of no migration. Winters

on the ice-free breast of the Willamette, Bybee Lake,

the green lawns of Sellwood, industrial plazas at Swan Island

that haven’t seen swans in a hundred years—

 

these geese think of Canada the way

my cousins and I think of China. A place

we own some connection to, but

go there? No. Why? Not our place.

 

But this time of year. When the wild flocks pass over.

They get restless. Big Vs over Delta Park,

headed for the water meadows on the Slough,

singing that old, old, wayfaring song.

 

And once in a while. At Silver Springs

or in the Reed College canyon—one bird sees

a single perfect red maple leaf

floating on its own reflection like an Escher print

 

and the water trembles with unknown desire.

 

Books Available
Dervish Lions
The Day of My First Driving Lesson
Country Well-Known as an Old Nightmare's Stable
High-Voltage Lines
Knocking from Inside

Monday, November 13, 2023

Thirteen Bridge City

 

Thirteen bridges span this river, bear a city on their backs

Thirteen shadows on the water hold up roads and railroad tracks

Poised above the swirling flood, breath and body, bone and blood.

 

Thirteen arcs of dream or story, thirteen sheets of pencil sketch

Thirteen plans on blueprint paper, solid as a ruler’s edge

Struts of steel and piers of stone, breath and body, blood and bone.

 

Books Available
Dervish Lions
The Day of My First Driving Lesson
Country Well-Known as an Old Nightmare's Stable
High-Voltage Lines
Knocking from Inside

Saturday, November 04, 2023

I tried to open the doors of my soul

I tried to open the doors of my soul

 

          but my soul was already a door

 

turning on a hinge of prayer.

 

 

I tried to empty the cup of my soul

 

          but my soul was already emptiness

 

cradled in a cup of prayer.

 

 

There was another stanza to this poem

 

          that it seems I’ve forgotten—

 

it was something about prayer.

 

Books Available
Dervish Lions
The Day of My First Driving Lesson
Country Well-Known as an Old Nightmare's Stable
High-Voltage Lines
Knocking from Inside