Twice In One Day

I startled a doe
on the hill
leading down to the creek
for a caught breath she stood
head high
achingly beautiful
in seconds she slipped away.

My youngest daughter
stopped by today
she stood where the sun
warmed her dark hair
achingly beautiful
my heart caught.

The Well

Imagine
death as a well
stare down its long shaft
to cool darkness waiting.

Watch
your dreams
silently spinning
into soft welcome.

Wonder
to drift slowly
a dry leaf
to waiting water.

Would it
be restful
floating easily
without dreams.

Would water
be cool
and sweet
against hot skin.

Would it
spill
through being
filling emptiness.

The well waits.

That Word

You say it so easily—the word slipping
your tongue like cool water dripping
onto smoldering coals; damping flames
before they would leap into life. Names
come to mind of your other loves, and while
I am held by your arms and the smile
in your eyes, I wonder how often they
heard that word you so easily say.

Truly I did not expect to hear
that word again in a year
of life times. I am content so far
with the low burning coals that we are,
warmed by your friendship, and asking not
for anything more than what we’ve got.

Weapons of Small Destruction

Sometimes words are small, sharp stones.
Flick one; see it score.

Hold back and feel the hard words drop
  into the hollow drum of you.

Demothenes held pebbles in his cheeks;
  polished each word smooth