Sabi

cars passing by
I sit on the porch
with tea and a book

empty room—
I find
the other earring

my blanket hugs me
not the same
as your arms

I braid my own hair
the flyaways
my only company

on zoom
my classmates voices
muffled under the blankets

full moon
the old dog howls
back at his ancestry

through the years
the tree we used to climb
now has fewer branches

in a field of yellow
one lone tulip
red instead

the waves
hitting the sand
the sadness sinks in

she plays chess
with herself
check mate

the crackle
of the fireplace
she sips her tea

global pandemic
empty school
spring break never ended

blanket of nighttime
I lie
awake for hours

quietly, 
oh, so quietly
she wakes up

empty bedroom
mirrored reflection
my only friend

lonely—
the ladybug lands
not a notice

the peaceful garden
I plant
trying to avoid my work

the dog
sound asleep
I wonder what dogs really think

Other

workout
i flex my arm
as i eat my chips

stay-at-home,
what if they
have no home?

the way the sun shines
on your clavicle . . .
adrenaline

visiting hours are over
she still talks
to someone?

hallucinating
he flirts with his wife
at the nurse’s station

my fingertips calloused
from the times
I’ve played to hear you

burning supper
again
he holds me

indulge in self-care
you will certainly need it . . .
watch.

i wish on every star
that i was enough 
to make them notice

morning of the funeral
her eulogy
half-hearted

puzzle pieces—
fitting the boxes
into the trunk

black sharpie on the box—
I write each room
in cursive

she looks
for the beauty in aging
       within her flowers

baby pictures—
the chunky cheeks
she still wears

what does it take
to be a performer?
a never ending script

insanity grows
as the pandemic spreads . . .
the next virus

cancer ribbon
worn proudly on her sweater
final infusion

whispers 
through the dark
to get to you

Karumi

in the morning
a bird in the sunlight
eats the worm

bubbly
since I saw you
I crinkle my nose

harmonious commotion
opening and closing of cabinets
a breakfast to be made

sunlight peeking through
red leaves—
they wave to me

my sister giggles
a splash
"don’t push me in!"

in the airport
pulling my suitcase along
practically skipping

a short prayer
before
the juicy steaks

merry-go-round
we pass
each other's smiles

take a breath
sit by the tree
and eat some sushi!

school is out
sitting on the warm porch steps
with old friends

raising our arms
to the song in the car
sunglasses

porchlight shines
we dance
in the rain

fruit blossoms
changing
the greenest leaves

woodsy walk
down to the water
sand?!

sunshine
ducklings at water's edge
enjoy the sun

thunder storm
flickering lights
we pull out the Ouija board

feeling blue
she paints her face
bright pink

quidditch match
cuddled under a blanket
we root for Gryffindor

corona season—
my neighbors laugh
through the walls

driving down
the country roads—
wild flowers

return to the ocean
wind in my hair whispers
of sandcastle dreams

we sit
enjoying the company
of our horses

after school
in the cafeteria
her first kiss

one little paw
on my thigh
puppy chow

birds chirping
alone on the golf course
I’m at peace

the dawn appears
we forget
dusk

2 bats
1 for looks
1 for hits