Miscarriage Again

Death,
    you are the enemy, you took two friends,
and if you can hold them you have seized the wind.
We weep for ones taken, and are as shaken
by bleak absence as by your uninvited presence.

At dinner, we sit around the table with living kin.
We pray and, when our eyes open to each other’s faces, 
we linger over life in a womb—with two fingers
we make small guesses—No bigger than this?  Yes! 

    Death, we do not want for grief,
but there is a Wing you may not reach beneath. 
There, your hand cannot grasp fragile forms
and your grip has ceased to close on even these
tiny
living human beings.

Four Haiku on Hide and Seek

Out of breath
Into blooming shrub
Sister follows

 

In the closet,
a heap of shirts, shorts
and expectance

 

Blind count
Gritty fingers depress
The sneaky peeks

 

Fireflies
See you face down
In the periwinkle

Cashier

Sunday morning,
after church shopping list:
bananas
bread
bologna
tomato soup
diapers.

At the register
the cashier
runs to grab a flier,
plucks the coupon
for five dollars off
any size Pampers. 

We make our way
toward home—
plastic sacks,
hungry kids,
full air in all four tires.

Dad’s Journal, Saturday January 1st

Arose, made coffee, oatmeal, and a list.
Hugged and kissed spouse, and prayed.
Discussed a canoe, a massage—a birthday.
Chased, regained, attempted to retain
next door neighbor’s pet, crazy.
Climbed up and down attic staircase,
then folded stairs away.

Exercised paintbrush on desktop
and taught third grader a bit
about how to paint.  Made a lap:
dressed toddler in pink boots
and green shirt.  Went out to help
with fifth grade science experiment
before it rained—got damp anyway.

Brushed and rolled here and there.
Watched fifth grader play computer game.
Watched Popeye and the gang.
Cleaned up for dinner.  Sat down
with family and ate.  Beheld faces,
took up the graces, read books…
then wrote, and hit the hay.

Bathtub

Bathtime!

I’m in the tub
and here’s the rub:
Mom says to get out soon.

The water’s warm,
and what’s the harm
in wrinkles like a prune?

I’m staying in!
Look, I can swim!
Let’s sing another tune.

Now close your eyes.
Here’s a surprise:
It’s me!—your goose-bump-goon.