Barber

Hammer and chisel 
scissor and shear
spade and rake
does it matter
when making beauty
marble hair soil
when one can
using one’s hands
take imagination and
make it imagine
and then make
it just so
an artisan uses
their hands like
dancing with life

Hungry

Some offer so
little yet expect
so very much
they often demand
and under deliver
I was taught
by my mother
that if you’re
hungry you’ll eat
it seems like
those who eat
never really share
or bring anything
to the table

Polish

Putting your trauma 
into a rock
tumbler isn’t going
to turn them
into shiny gemstones
put those rocks
into the ground
or hide your
keys under them
or prop up
a wobbly table
but don’t hope
that by churning
they’re gonna change

Been

It’s been a
long time since
I’ve been this
this not since
that this happened
and the cover
was torn off
funny then how
when could be
sees the light
what had been
falls into shadow
learning its place

Error

Oh dear
I erred
I had
love entangled
with security
a bodyguard
of sorts
protecting my
soul from
the evils
but I
was wrong
for love
is love
and not
an anchor
or roots