Even The Turkey Could Say Nothing

She had the nerve to ruin dinner
by telling everyone she was dropping
out of school and moving to Vermont
to live in a small town.

She said she couldn't see the point
in education anymore. Everything
she ever learned she had forgotten,
or so she said.

Her Mother cried, her Father fumed
and the Turkey sat on the table
without a word. Her parents thought
her to be selfish but she disagreed.

How could they be so upset,
she wondered to herself. Don't they
want me to be happy? Don't they
want me to find my path?

It was then she learned how differently
we measure happiness. The turkey
could express no further disapproval
as it was carved away from existence.

In The Heart of Winter / The Summer of My Life

The winds have calmed
their anxious conversations
from last night. I listened
in as I fell asleep
and wondered what
they were upset about.

It is Christmas morning
and much has changed
since I was a child waking,
ready to rip apart presents
carefully placed under
our artificial tree.

I have grown to know
love cannot be measured
merely through gifts.
Love is far greater
than any physical object
that can be desired.

My youngest brother
is still young enough
to take part in the ritual
of gifts under the tree.
I am happy it is still
a part of his life.

I don't need much,
don't ask for much,
don't expect much.
I am content
to wake each morning
and see the sun.

Light shines through
my window
and lands upon
my desk.
A gentle, steady
reminder.

casual hope

I find myself waiting

and it is a foolish thing to do.

Every moment is one deeper

into night,

it's promises of sleep,

made and broken,

to everyone

at some time.

Any answer

would be fine,

but I don't expect any

at this hour.

Needless thinking,

needless waiting,

a futile hope,

one that will never

learn any better.

The Phone Is On The Hook

Waiting for a phone call that never comes.

Connections are in short supply.

Disappointment is a blossoming flower.

Open the living room door,

stare through the mesh screen

and into the street.

The sounds of evening

echo inside.