It’s always a strange feeling
when the kids pull away
on Christmas morning to
open anew their presence
at mom’s.

Only to return indoors
from seeing them off
to find my more recent kids
equally pulling away to
play with their new toys
and gadgets.

Inside, my wife pulls away
retreating from years of
holiday shopping and cooking and regrets
and I retreat to write
a poem or virtually connect
with others.

And I realize that retreat
is normal, not a casualty of divorce
just refreshing and treating ourselves to
quiet rejuvenation.

And tomorrow we’ll regroup anew
and begin the count toward
next year.

25.xii.10

Mommy went to Heaven,
but I need her here today,
My tummy hurts and I fell down,
I need her right away!
Operator, can you tell me how
to find her in this book?
Is Heaven in the yellow part?
I don't know where to look.
I think my Daddy needs her too,
at night I hear him cry.
I hear him call her name sometimes,  
but I really don't know why.  
Maybe if I call her
she will hurry home to me.  
Is Heaven very far away?
is it across the sea?
She's been gone a long, long time,  
she needs to come home now!
I really need to reach her,
but I simply don't know how.  
Help me find the number please
is it listed under "Heaven"?
I can't read these big big words,  
I am only seven.
I'm sorry operator, ,
I didn't mean to make you cry,  
Is your tummy hurting too?  
or is there something in your eye?
If I call my church maybe they will know.
Mommy said when we need help
that's where we should go.
I found the number to my church
tacked up on the wall.  
Thank you operator,
I'll give them a call.

Sticks and stones
May break my bones,
But words will
Leave me dying.

Sticks and stones
May tear me down
But words will
Tear me up.

Sticks and stones
May ****** and bruise me
And everyone asks "What's wrong?"
But words leave me looking fine
And everyone expects me to act
Like I'm always alright.

Sticks and stones
May kindle my fire,
But words will put it out.

Sticks and stones,
Fire and ash,
Daggers and swords-
These things I do not fear.
But leave me alone
In the presence of words-
And terrifying things you'll hear.

Sticks and stones
May break my bones,
But words will break my heart.

Sticks and stones
May break my body
But words will crush my soul.

Sticks and stones
To be used for good
Can render
Warmth
And homes
And smiles.


Words to be used for good
Can change this very world
And change your very heart.

I could never fall in love with a writer,
Because I'd treat life like a game.

I write
And you write
And we'll see who writes better.

I could never fall in love with a writer,
Because it would make the hard times harder.

I cry
And you sigh,
Let's pray life doesn't leave us bitter.

I could never fall in love with a writer,
Because we'd both be metaphor-fighters.

I'll swing a fist,
You'll block, take the hit,
And we'll tumble down the stairs of regret.

I could never fall in love with a writer,
Because we would be wonderfully mad.

I'll buy the paint,
You buy the brushes,
Let's paint the town red.

I could never fall in love with a writer,
Because he would remind me of me.

I could never fall in love
With anyone so vain
And so impatient
And so selfish
And so conceited
To claim they could never
Fall in love with a writer.