To dad

Follow the tail of the Great Bear, you'd said,
and I'll find Arcturus, and if I go further, Spica;
is there a pointer somewhere in that beloved sky,
daddy, that can lead me to you?

When we were little

When the clouds ran out of raindrops,
and we were all chastened, dried
and changed into fresh frocks, we'd run out
again with paper-boats, place little dreams in 'em,
and set them sailing in little oceans on the street.

To dad

I switch on your old radio,
and the tunes wander into all the corners of the house
you aren't there.

Untitled

When I die, my dear, think of me,
a white flower that bloomed one day
in a quiet corner of the world.

Confessions

Ma, when daddy told me he would not give up
his fight against cancer, that he’d try every drug possible, 
steal every month he could from Death, I’d smiled, 
and smiled, and nodded, 'of course, yes!' 
But ma, all I could think was that it would be easier if 
--I couldn't complete that thought -- guilt 
fused uncomfortably with the warmth of his embrace.