Final Kukai

Mattoon, Illinois • PACE January 2005

barren swing set
enjoys the company
of a January snowfall

snowman stands
like a senry
temperature drops as sun sets

sitting in the park
old caboose
abandoned

sunrise—
last goodbye kiss
I walk you to the door

glowing streetlamp
illuminating the flurries
close the curtains

hole in glove
the ball bounces
off his head

winter morning walk
I step outside
then grab car keys

gate blowing open
sled in yard
waiting for children

snow angel
covered
by falling snow

cold church pew
frosted stained glass
basking in the son

candle lit room
words of wisdom
spark your emotions

rooftops all the same
snowplow coming
covering up driveways

people stare
at crazy woman frozen
in time

last day of school
they make sure to
exchange phone numbers

dead tree in winter
blends in . . .
until spring

the old woman
with grandmother’s face
sits quietly on a chair

warmth of my son's voice
as snowballs fly
through the air

winter cold
the little dog nuzzles
in the nape of her neck

awaiting his return
gigantic X’s
on the calendar

dog curled up
in the doghouse
wind is blowing

on bended knee
he takes her left hand
fourth finger

mother and daughter
morning stroll
through the garden

gently combing
grandmother’s hair
her granddaughter quietly whispers

frigid morning
I stop
to tie my shoe