Other Holidays

Earthmother (for Heidi)

When I think of you, it is with thoughts of butterflies and flowers. I did not know their names until you told me, like a precious secret, like this knowledge was the only true wealth, and how lucky that we could be rich together. Perhaps I would not know to love the world from the roots up, as you do, without your quiet enthusiasm for everything that grows.
It might seem a perilous undertaking of the spirit, to see what beauty is still alive in this world of smoke, and speed, and fear, but as I question if there is hope for us in the times to come, I remember you in your garden, smiling, and showing us that hope is everywhere if you know where to look.

Secret Admirer

I probably won’t admit it in person, but I think you’re pretty great.

Other Worlds

We are not so far away from the world of giants and secrets and magic.

Shine

For everything you’ve done and everything you are, thank you. You are the light that shines.

Higher Path

There is a way up toward the better world we have seen in our dreams, but these stairs won’t build themselves.

Underwear Parade

I think we should make all the flags in the parade out of long underwear, he said, because then only the really fun people will come.

Successful Holiday

Rules for a successful holiday: 1. Get together with the family 2. Relive old times 3. Get out before it blows

Special Occasions

He kept her skin in the closet & brought it out only for holidays so not to get crumbs on it. Do you still love me? she would ask at the end of each day & he would hum her a song as he smoothed away the creases.

Some Kind of Ride

feels like some kind of ride but it’s turning out just to be life going absolutely perfectly

Side by Side

We sat side by side in the morning light & looked out at the future together.

Regular Hours

wondering if Day of the Dead is nine to five like all the other dead days he can remember

Real Reason

There are things you do because they feel right & they may make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other’s cooking & say it was good.

Last Minute

I have to buy all my presents at the last minute, she said, or I get too excited & just give them away.

Jello Salad

There are 7 levels of hell, she said, & I think one of them is reserved for people who bring jello salads to every potluck they go to.

Forgotten Promises

she sang like snowflakes on my tongue, bright & sharp with the forgotten promises of spring

Flight

I knew a man in college who grew up in the inner city of Chicago & what he was doing in Iowa I never did figure out. But whenever he would see a jet trailing across the sky, he would stop everything he was doing & he would watch. Once, after a jet was gone & there was nothing left but the white line disappearing like a scar into the blue, he turned to me & said, An airplane is a miracle & I didn’t give it much thought, but now & then, when I am ready to give up hope for human beings in general, & for one or two of them who are bugging me specifically, I will look to the sky & there will be one of those miracles & I will remember it’s all about concentrating on the right thing.