Silver fish flopping
in a dark net too big
to pass through

we will celebrate
in a moment all the steps
of his ninety years

held firmly wholly
roots that protect and nourish
so tossed yet not torn

we return time after time
holy holy wholly one

offertory prayer
the back of the pew, bitter
to the child's tongue

Kids blowing smoke
in the honeysuckle bushes--
behind the school

against the window
rain hammers wind shouts wake up
day rolls in

those stories
Mother never told
find me in dreams

late september
the beds all gone
to seed

still fish
beneath lily pads
tossed in the rain

out of sorts
in choking humidity
she dreams of snow

little can be seen
one tall verbena swaying
a wake in the fog

crow
on either end
of the broken fence rail

rose-breasted grosbeak
a moment before
only sparrows

high humidity
curls every thing with the
waning breath of summer

it will rain tonight
the mums just planted will spread
roots in their new home