Acting Out an Interest

Yesterday, I saw her over the park
sad, bad haircut
acting out an interest
in long past best-before roses
working her self-consciousness
into shape

Today, I'm OK with myself
Tomorrow, I'll be back –
some mother slapping her knees
come here running-around son
– like a dog


~ ~ ~


Got thinking about our boy today
back when we were in that farming village
Couldn't remember much
kept implanting scenes from books and movies
I know, in the usual sense of the word,
it wasn't a happy ending

The clouds have gone
All those stars in the sky
each one a child


~ ~ ~


You're in the souk and this boy says
his uncle is the best weaver in Marrakesh
and he leads you off down narrow alleyways
until you're lost and have to pay him to get back
which is why I had a ball of thread with me
when you showed me your garden



~ ~ ~