Author Archives: springpoem
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It’s the morning of our departure. You’re smiling; relieved, I think, at the stress of family being gone. We’re in the driveway, and your door has been left open. Murphy, that big black, checkered shepherd, comes bounding out, bounding to get lost if we don’t find him soon. I forget who, I think Mom, suggests […]
Hearths
You were talking about camping at your old cabin with your sister on the drive to Bayfield. You were recounting how you used to make small hearths of stone and sticks. Small fires, for a small boy. When you grew up, you devoted yourself to your passions. building code, exploring imaginary worlds, loving family. You […]
The Mosaic
We were seeing Venice, St. Mark’s Basilica to be exact. We were admiring the mosaics, so many tiny shattered pieces creating into something greater than its broken parts, something beautiful. It made me think of our family, up close, we were a mosaic of broken truths creating a portrait of a fractured family. But with […]
Beggar’s Hands
This was inspired by our family trip to Vietnam. FYI, 20,000 Dong is about 1 US Dollar. Five thousand Dong. Enough for food fast, enough to end starving fast. I could hold the weight of the world in these hands, yet they are cupped only to catch only its scraps. I hold the weight of […]
Old Habits
Your blouse rests where it always has, draped on top the kitchen chair. We’ve changed homes since you’ve gone, but it still sits in the same position of the table that it always has. Sometimes, we wash it, to keep it clean. It’s silly of us – really – who washes a blouse that’s no […]
Bloodlines
This poem is based on some recent knowledge about my roots: Bloodlines My mother’s and father’s roots are like of the air and sea, so desperately disparate were their worlds. My mother’s call back to the Independent rebels who fought the French, who had almost won Vietnam’s freedom, but may have massacred Christians in the […]
For a little boy
This poem was based on some young boys I saw playing by the roads our tour bus was taking in Vietnam. My Concerns I do not know that you are watching me play, or rather, I should say, I do not care. What I care for is how the mud squishes between my toes and […]
For the Hummingbird
Here’s a newer poem of mine that I did after Snowflower encouraged me to write about Nature, since the birds and bees are always happy. While it is about Nature, it’s not exactly happy. It kind of is Mary Oliver-like, I think, but nowhere near as nice. Anyhow, here it is: For the Hummingbird You […]
Softening
Softening It was my fourth birthday, which I don’t remember much of, except for this – I had received two dinosaurs, a T-Rex, and triceratops, from whom, I can’t recall. The triceratops was my favorite, even then, I had a predilection for peaceful grazers armed with defensive shields and devices like horns and tails, in […]
The Old Warrior
This one’s an older work of mine, but one that I’m rather fond of: The Old Warrior My favorite photo of you doesn’t have you looking your best, but it’s you at your best. It’s the photo of you taken on your nephew’s wedding day. You’re sitting alone, slightly battered pink with drink and hammered […]