Of That Ilk

From the beginning

kindred voices whisper

between words.

Sea through the windows.

Landlocked roots.

You reel me in without a net.

Gently unhook.  For keeps.

Channels pulse an ancient beat,

deeper in your eyes than blue.

I have been away too long.

Ancestors line the shore.

One of them points―

"Your man over there"

I take him literally.

They applaud as rain.

Rush of belonging sweeps

stronger than a tailwind.

I grasp your arm

to keep from flying―

put me down!

Look at my pale feet

unearthed from nowhere,

still covered in grubs.

I dig in my heels.
Spread my toes like fins.

tk/May 2015

Lovely retro-esque read by R.A.D. ...

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Pentimento

Careful consideration shows

traces of underdrawing.

Off-center.  Awkward.

Seed pearl tears dot the canvas.

Then a change of mind: 

brushed over with another venue.

Layers of new whitewash

show the transparency of my skin.

I look taller.  Three-dimensional.

Someone stands close behind.

There are curtainless windows.
Plenty of blue, because it is now.

tk/October 2014


R.A.D. Stainforth enjoys a glass and reads my poem...

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Self-portrait by Vivian Maier