poem by poem
turned to stone

seed by seed
dropped to the ground

turned to tune
note by note

memorized and deeply drawn
sung into air

step by step
leaf by leaf
wing by wing

repeated like
a rosary

Oh Dear!

I've called Orion
Zoli, Sarie and sometimes Jim.
I've called Sarie
Orion, Jim and sometimes Zoli.
I've called Zoli
Orion, Sarie and sometimes Jim.
I’ve called Jim
Zoli, Orion and sometimes Sarie.

Orion flatly said yesterday,
"Mom, I’m not Zoli or Sarie or Jim.
I’m Orion.”  (Oh dear!)
I answered, “Of course you are!”
The world is indeed round.  I remember...
Mom calling me Jim and John
before saying Claudia.

Not Just With My Vote

not my government
not my vote
not my vote
not my president
not my vote
not my vote
not my order to abandon the Kurds
not my vote
not my vote
now they must flee or be killed, 

not my president
not from my vote

not my shame
not my criminality
not my deceit
not my...   treason
one of my best friends voted for him
not my vote
my neighbor voted for him
not my vote
my coworker voted for him

one of my dear brothers voted for him!
not my president
not my government
not my vote
not from my vote
Heaven help us!
this is...   my government
is...    my president
this is my country
this is my shame
this is my sorrow
this is my asking for forgiveness

This is my problem to help solve and

not just with my vote

Toast to Elijah Cummings

Many times we watched you
heads bowed or in awe because you said
exactly what we wanted to say
more eloquently and fearlessly
than we ever could have said it.

Can’t sleep
voices compete
worries run
a marathon

i've been a no show
on my favorite stage
a no ink
on the sacred page
standing up my prayer

so You, whom i love
gave me today
pencils and books
a perfect bouquet
something to say and pray