to Will Clendening

[i have only now been able to post this. i wrote this three years ago after the death of a very dear friend. june 3rd marked the third year of his loss.]


smell of fresh rain and wet concrete

the leaves moved to applaud
relief from heat

tiny drops tapped
the napes of necks
bent in grief

tears turn to mist
to form a fog of you
bound by disbelief


suddenly


but we planted a tree for you

and you painted the sky
your shade of blue
and a warm orange


i hope to make apple pies
in your memory.

while i was smoking

i watched the slow death of an earthworm

writhing under the
peck
peck
peck
peck
peck
of a robin's beak

ugly bird

feathers faded from the days,
you look like death



i don't like you, bird.