My body is fragile Crack me open at the seam in my Ribcage, like a damp wafer – watch the strawberry blood cake in exposed air. How many midnight calls, and dinnertime Interruptions can a heart take before the valves wear thin And the tell tale tingle moves up my arm? Doctor’s orders: I can’t … Continue reading Midnight Calls
original poetry
Dying
When it's my time I want to know: what it feels like There are opportunities for second chances, but this isn't one. I want to know what it was like, before the morphine drip, dripping And the rockabye easing out I woke up in the world screaming What is it like to end?
Everyone Who Searches
And everyone who searches finds - maybe not the missing button, maybe an old note, yellowed photo with a missing corner. And you realize what you find is good enough, or better And the cardigan can do without mending - its gapping filled for now with a memory of summertime, or last year's loss - … Continue reading Everyone Who Searches
frost bitten
You'll be kind and never lose your temper and no one will misunderstand your jokes. You'll wake up early and listen to the mourning dove sing dooo dooo do-do-do low-high calling the new day good. You'll always have spare change for the panhandler at his median … Continue reading frost bitten
do not take
The earth moves Did you know? It pulses with intention. Birds free fall in aerial feats The hive hums The dry leaves whisper their ancient chant And we, We move, too Building, working, fighting, dreaming - not always with intention. But noise, always noise. The earth knows - do you? Our performative toiling is Being, a … Continue reading do not take
two post it notes
Someday, when the world begins to darken, I'll walk in the silence of early morning, peering into empty shops with cataract gray eyes And I'll remember being young, moving fast, skin smooth like a new bar of soap, and wondering when I would make it. I'll know then, there is no making it. Child, you're … Continue reading two post it notes
to a mouse
Thank you. In your curiosity and gentleness you showed me Life can be simple. One need not strive for much More than some choice hay and a welcoming bedfellow Or a friend to get the hard-to-reach spots behind the ears And, don't be shy about a midnight snack or, an argument easily made up with … Continue reading to a mouse
by the monument, two
I watched a squirrel groom her fluffy tail then scratch hyperspeed, her hind leg thwack-thwack-thwack against her side We were alone by the monument, two mammals feeling the sun on our faces in February Holding our breaths that the winter had fled for good - for now
Leah Wise 