hard things

the highest expression
of power
is power
deliberately
thoughtfully
willfully
unexercised
it is the mastery
of discipline
over desire
the surrender of rights
for right
it is the purposeful
avoidance
of momentum
for momentum’s sake
an awkward pause
amid loud chaotic
collective rhythms
an inner compulsion
not to be compelled
it is a setting aside
of a passionate,
righteous argument
for the sake of peace
it is the meddlesome fomenting
of outright rebellion
where the sediments
of time
and shifting sands
of opinion
have buried what in the heart
is as clear as day
and must be championed

you said
your path
would not be obvious
but straight

you said
your methods
would not be popular
but unburdensome

help me
to do the hard things
in—and by—
your great
strange
power

February 2008

sibling

seven years
of marriage
of friendly hints
and familial references
of increasing frequency
and decreasing tact
before we realized
that, even being one,
two was not the magic number
that it was not good
for the man and woman
to be alone

so we stopped going
through the motions
adding purpose
to our pleasure
and an amazing product
more than the sum of our parts
altered our equation

fast on her tiny heels
more hints
and psychology
and studies
and anecdotes
pointing in unison
to the time-proven wisdom
and inevitability
of siblings
the jury verdict in,
whether or not of peers,
then the long, slow
thoughtful appeal process
may yet be years
to render a decision

for now, though
we remain happy
with the cards
we have been dealt
we are holding
at
and tenderly onto
one

February 2008

precious

the king of cocktail hour
and jester of every other
is back home with his wife
good for her
good for them
bittersweet for us

Mac
Maternal Grandfather Sir
you happy, knowing clown
with your big floppy feet
enormous heart
and half-sleepy smile
etched permanently
you were a smooth drink
equal parts boy and man
peaceably coexisting
our willful Falstaff
our eager fall guy
our sayer out loud
of thoughts
we thought we had hidden
instigator
of intelligent conversations
of such heady topics
as actresses and bishops
and the plumbing of life
loving husband
dear, doting daddy
you leave behind
a legacy
of laughter
and love
our memories of you
will be clear
uncluttered by the usual regrets
and words unsaid

as a boy
your grandmother called you home
with a curious pet name
“Preciouuuussssss”
now your Father
has done the same
say hi for me
for all of us

Bert’s put up her bottles
and our eyes are wet
with a sweet mixture
of laughter and tears
a cocktail
that burns a little at first
but the finish is smooth

happy days, Mac
happy days

February 2008