Poetry

There is a story,a story acting like a ribbon would in the wind,twisting and dancing. In this story she is like a hillrolling wet and green under a yellow sun. She is that sliver of moonbright in the dark summer night. She is surrounded by childrenand music, snow and breath and flowers,righteous indignation and a certain way […]

Just off the roadBehind some brushAnd nearly within hailOf Sue-Meg ParkYet close to homeHides Bub’s Secret Trail The footpath’s wornThe roots exposedAnd dotted with toadstoolsThe fallen treesWe clamber o’erTo play by diff’rent rules For in this spaceWithin the trailThe Green Arena dwellsThe stage is setThe curtains drawnAnticipation swells  The beetles areOur audienceAnd so are slugs […]

The clouds are leaden with raincoming down in streams over thesea green tree tops of redwoods feedingancient roots, which scientists have discoveredcommunicate with one another, linking themas a family.Leah and I head into the forest on soil the color ofburnt coffee, pale redwood brambles insertingthemselves into her paws, a slick banana slugcurled up at our […]

Winter was the blackest nightAnd the gray of dayLady Fern grew ghostly whiteThe woods stayed red and fey Winter was a barren bushFrost on raven wingsThe lonesome brrrr of varied thrushA wren who’s seldom seen Winter was a snow-capped mountPlumes of horses’ breath Fluffy foxes, frozen fountsAlders miming death Winter was a flooded marshWhale calves on […]

Beginning is the color of a red poppy It tastes like a fresh papaya coated with a ripe lime It lives in an ending, patiently waiting its turn A beginning is a wave, rolling, like an uncontrollable wagon, flying across the colored sand It’s a palm tree, dancing in the wind like a ballerina Even […]

An open doorFuzzy bear in hand,He wanders outHis sister once went thereHe remembers her faceDimpled, laughing, framed with grace,Her mane flowing in joyArms embraceVibrant garden flowers. Now he scramblesOver concrete and cobbles –fruits of mendacious power –o see her laughing againBear still clutched tightlyAgainst his tattered shirtEyes scanningDefiled landBlossoms face downIn ashes and dirt. Little […]

Sing out, America, sing out. Vocalize your discontent. Make clear your grievances. Raise voices high and long and loud. Sing out, America, the time is now. Now to shed these foolish cretins. Now to still the liars’ din. Now to beg no tyrant’s pardon. Now to stoke that rage within. Now refire that torch held […]

Change is in the air The clouds gathering Could bring welcome rain, And unwelcome wind. Balance in everything. Even those things so bleak So horrible we feel crushed, Are countered by Events and actions of Bravery and beauty, Compassion and hope. Balance and bravery Make life worth living. Withstand the wind To welcome life giving […]

One apple, sliced Bowl of oatmeal, piping hot Brown sugar over the top Sweetened coconut  Strong coffee, cream, slowly drunk Watching morning news In horror. — Lori Cole 

I am from ocean air and silver fog. I am from marshes, blue herons, and white egrets. I am from Eucalyptus holding winds at bay, piebald cows blanketed in mist  lichen on ghostly fences. I am from otters, whitecaps, and the sea spray of a whale’s journey. I am from Sunday beach picnics —  golden […]

She looks up. Smiles. “Are you in our system?”  “Used to be, but I moved away.” “But you’re back now?” “Yes.” I smile at my son. “When I knew he was on the way, I brought us back.” She smiles at him, too. “I understand. I found you. You’re here.” I look from her to […]