Mechanical Geese.

Once we've packed away the room fans
Aired out the heavy comforter your grandmother made for us
Cut down the perennials
And dug around for our socks
Even airplanes
become a gentle reminder
Of winter fast approaching.

The Ghost Hare's whiskers are twitching.

Tainted water like happiness.

I thought about you on my wedding day

I stood out on a spit, looking over the lake
and kicked off my shoes.

In my pocket I always keep the corner of a letter you once sent to me.
There isn't any writing on it, but I know that your hands have touched it.

I threw it into the lake that day
and cried.

It should have been over then

But I'm finding it was easier to keep you at bay
when I kept that piece of you
next to me.

For T.

How can I explain it to you?

Some people attach themselves to memories
without ever really walking into your life.

Life changing presences
are rarely around for the long haul.

After all, the long haul is for safe people who don't make history

Not your daddy.
I would have risked the homewrecking
And broken vows
Even now when I look in your eyes.

It could have been far more complicated
if I wasn't such a safe person
and if he wasn't the kind of man
I hope you'll be someday.

I can't pretend I'm not hurt. I can't pretend I don't care. And yet I know when a time's come.

Songwriters with demons as big as Wyoming
and rain falling though late evening summer sun
will always make me think of your daddy

And how bad I am at goodbye.

These fingers will be your undoing.

Your cotton shirt has pearl-front snaps
and you jeans are buttoned.

(in need of a wash)

Your wallet has worn a square into the back pocket.

Always with a belt
Keys on one of the loops.

Glasses and a hat-maybe a watch.
No- leave that on.

Piled on the kitchen floor.
That's how I picture it

Don't try to stay your breathing.

These fingers will be your undoing.

Homewrecker.

I see fathers
with children I'm glad aren't mine.

Always torn between stillness
and the motion of idealism

Too selfish to choose
and too stubborn to forget.

10:23

I wish transmuting experiences didn't take so fucking long.

3 piece suit.

I can't imagine endless days.
I can't take on forever
without cynicism.

Too much happens in one minute
to commit to anything more.

Now is all I can
(and all I will ever)
be able to offer.

This is not fear.

I'm not proud enough for that anymore.

When you left, I started drinking.

Everyone should have their heart broken

At least once.

Demolition is the easy part.
It's rebuilding that takes time.

Tennessee

I look at the photographs you sent me almost every day.

There's a vision I always have
of you sitting behind the wheel
while I pretend to sleep

In between daydreams
and the waking sting of discovery
I watch your taut shoulders

Your hat is pulled back
and your shirt is dusty
Soft smile
Windows rolled down

Body quieted
The ache and need
Replaced with a warm glow

It will always haunt me.

Not your touch-
Your absence.

Horizon to horizon.

The the flare and dissipation of a mountain sunset
can't match the slow dissolution of day
that comes from a sinking winter sun
over prairies.