Balloons

Stretch tight over dizzying breaths― 

float free, without string.

Seek new perspective

from the living room ceiling― 

bend, squeak, twist,

dazzle hemispheres.

Edge close to the sofa― 

the first intimate spin

connects rampant static.

Rise above the night sky― 

pull magnetic on paths coincident.

Take care not to burst

against the points of stars.

tk/July 2013 

Many thanks to R.A.D. Stainforth for adding breath to my words.  

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The Absence

I grip the banister,

touch each sleepless stair―

the door's salutation

sounds sadder in the dark.

Night swallows me,

one naked shoulder at a time.

I hear your voice in the crickets―

fireflies remind me of the distance,

how each nocturnal window twinkles

from counties to countries.

How stars scatter

differently across your sky.

tk/July 2013 

Thanks to R.A.D. Stainforth for this masterful reading.  

Man and The Moon, 1990 by Andrew Wyeth 

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Palpably Inadequate

You carefully consider

Maris Piper or Jersey Royal,

lost in thought ― 

somewhere in the Channel Islands.

I look sideways at your foraging.

Del Monte, cat food ― 

you can tell so much

from the contents of a lonely cart.

You choose a kind King Edward,

as I pretend to be interested in whole oats.

I feel the precision of your choice

in my throat.

I see you being swept away,

smoothing olive oil on the skin ― 

a good slow roast ― 

cheeky potato salad for one.

tk/July 2013 

Thank you  R.A.D. Stainforth for expertly reading this poem.  

photo by Agustin Berrocal 

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Moonstruck

The moon opens

his laughing Buddha mouth,

pumps me full

of tides and sky.

Dreams from a cratered bowl,

gold and overgrown,

swim circles

of unrequited sleep.

I paddle tree-lined,

camera-shy ―

desirous of secret rivers,

ungrounded culverts.

At dawn, he holds a up a mirror.

I look just like him ―

round-faced,

crescent-eyed.

tk/July 2013

This poem was expertly read by R.A.D. Stainforth. 

Supermoon 2013, Julio Cortez, AP 

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