I have grown
fond of this
a soft blanket
kind of quiet
like a dog
who’s found his
place in sun
or in front
of the fire
let them all
go scurry about
me I’m going
to squirrel dream
Pine
I don’t pretend
those old days
are now gone
present and truth
are all that’s
left after the
layers of paint
and varnish have
all been removed
just bare wood
a knotty pine
soft and lined
Clenching
It’s only in
dreams I’m reminded
I remember once
clenching my eyes
shut to blind
myself from pain
but now open
all I see
is magnificent beauty
and my madness
is left for
when I sleep
and I can’t
even defend myself
Soliloquy
So long ago
all the players
now have exited
and I and
it a soliloquy
practiced and rehearsed
ready to go
and cut at
the last minute
my one moment
now a mystery
of man’s misery
making a memory
Housework
Get it in
get it out
get it done
which is why
I loved early
so that now
I can remember
without feeling guilty
love is housework
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 