language borrows rhythm 

from rhythm 

and rarely gives it back. 

the cardinals in the garden 

have a game for keeping what is 

most important hidden 

i want to memorize their calls 

their patterns of flying

their protection strategies

and then get distracted by

the green surround or 

the way the

wind feels

under the springtime sun

the laughter 

that i seek again 

the longing and the

fatigue of longing

the irises in bloom

are regal and stoutly

like violet blue sphinxes at the 

mouth of the pathway

in the later phase 

the earth is not there

sometimes

but the moon is

whittling each thought into 

being until they become 

knowable

dreams 

dreams are a cliche of dreams

are a cliche of dreams 

mostly i just want to see 

them

quiet and still for a moment

and be something 

more than what I am