Ollie

the soft nuzzle at the nape,
a nip of the hair to remind you
to look over your shoulder,
now a reminder of the sky
at the pang of surprise in
the missing playmate,
missing imprint on the pillow.

if you read this,

if you move beyond the scan and

these first three lines -

that don't meter or rhyme -

if you're reading this,

i don't mind if you,

move on.

i'd like to keep you, though.

with me for tonight.

to talk with me and drink with me

maybe hold my hand?

or walk the paths behind the theatre,

find the secret playground to

swing the swings,

test our pants for their swift,

friction against the slide.

see who can climb the highest,

exhaust ourselves with games

on the farmhouse deck

or barbeque under the

big yellow and white tent

ment for summerstage,

but which we confiscate for night.

i'd like to keep you,

to slam with me and read with me

to keep these wicked demons from

taking me.

please.

yet you never came

brunch at the frazer diner
to discuss it all
over coffee and eggs
and pancakes, scrapple and bacon
or maybe some of those just so salty sausage links.

we'll get a table, not the counter,
because there's two of us,
and we have hours to kill.

and maybe when the check has come,
we'll order some orange juice too.

homecoming

here are corsages,
wildflower bracelets,
daisy bouquets,
and pinned lapels.

there they wear single,
double, triple mums
with cowbells,

their patriotic pride
adorned in lucky rabbit feet.

sand dollar fortunes

Love,
work those hands until
they are knotted and cramped,

build sand castles with your grandmother
your sister, your lover
search out those razor clams,
sand dollar fortunes.

take that pile of mud and coil it
round, round into a pot.

your pinky, wrist, or waist

may play its mold, or base.

paint it, seal it with a star dusted glaze;
stand within an inch of the kiln as it bakes.

write yourself a love note every day,
write your child advice she'll never see;

create lists of your dreams,
blog your heartaches, and day breaks
celebrate your triumphs and trials,

look to wide open spaces,
camp under the stars,
take to the rapids,
and hike that rocky path along your soul.