Words Like Flowing Wine

In a perfect world
the pendulum of the grapevine
would stop swinging
and find a still point
in the center of fear and love.

The rumors that trickle into the chasm of truth
are few and far between where love has sidled up
to the heart and ignores the temptation to glamorize

fear and the ignorant path
that burrows below the surface of the skin
and turns the leaves into dry and curling words
that only harm us with the scorching dishonesty
that cannot be washed clean.

Stand tall and find your center of gravity
and the words will flow smoothly from the tongue
like water on the petals overflowing kindness.

Snow Storm in April

In tribute to a mild winter
we allow joy to follow our amazement
as a miniature snow storm hits Vermont
this early April.

The winds walloped us last night
as we sunk into the pillows,
anticipated the worst,
and dutifully bought bread and milk,
gassed up the cars,
and waited for the renegade precipitation
to forget her manners
and enter the party uninvited.

No one paid for this lopsided exchange
where spring and summer edged us closer to hope
only to be taken in by cancellations
clumsy with ungainly excuses
to the flowers that dared to collect the sun and color
like the blush on a girl's face after her first dance.

The night is hushed now and we forgive everything
knowing it is all a temporary, youthful hoax-
a whistle at the door
reminding us to all come home early.