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áo dài
rich red tunic
stealing the path of the wind
pure white trousers
calming it down

Bringing life to a visit of a fallen tree
white lilies echo a promise of renewal
a grace in the silence of nature’s sound

A woman beams delicately at the old wooden pillar
the stubs still reaching to find branches and leaves
remembering its fulfillment to the birds and the sky

As the wind encircles what is left
around knots and through holes
the sound of its breath echo from bygone time

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A simple flower
to give my heart to you
petals translucent as the transparent love that broke through

An effortless smile
shared across the air between
I can hear you breathe
your chest rising
a princess to a queen

Modestly on one knee
presenting a ring in flower folds
the next step is as clear as the sparkles in our eyes
lighting the road

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Floating freedom
in white silver and blue
breathing easy
toned stomach
rising chest
closed eyes
at rest
close to the sun
above the clouds
feet dipped in the air
a raft hovers along

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Laying in wait
a young woman lingers for her husband
surrounded by light in a room floating in morning illumination

Coming home early
a dream as rare as it seems these days
so too
she’s delightedly taken the time
put on makeup to make herself as fair as youth can
and encompassed the parts she bears for him in innocent floral white

Thoughts of him focus her hand on her heart
the soothing warmth of his traces make the horizons of her memories rise
lips parting as she exhales with expectation of press and release

The door latches in the distance
their smiles meet as they acknowledge the preparations they have made
there will be nothing lacking in this day they have been gifted to claim

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If it’s the responsibility of women of old
to love their children
build a home
then this garage met me
at the right place
at the right time
there is no gossip here

Just parts, tools, and the sweat of my brow
consistent and cold
for too long this is all I could sow

Now I’ve got a little lady to show what I can do
filled with pride
to walk into this place that hums
hammer and drill
diagnostic and repair
she’s got the stuff
she’s tough enough
there is heart to do the job right

Just parts, tools, and the sweat of my brow
consistent and cold
for too long this is all I could sow

Now that joy is here
the work of family is clear

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From the foaming of the rolling waves along the beachside
white sheets ebbed and stretched across the sand
until to my surprise
they vertically materialized

Appearing within this curtain of translucent froth
a woman of sun and skin
reached up to take the curtain and tuck her arms in

Adorned with aurora waves of hair
the breath of salt and sun could be seen in its sheen
a slender back divided into sections by a cross and braid of seashell pink
the furrow of her svelte spine held a trace of ocean mist
flowing down to her shapely low-rise waist
where multi-colored tides wrapped around her own shoreline behind the curtain lather

Looking over her slender shoulders
she simpered
lowered her eyes
beckoned me close

Turning to the water
she said,
“I am not a mystery.
I may be from the sea
but I am a woman just the same.
A dedication of promise knit in my mother’s womb
complex and serene as the life with which I am blessed.
Inscribed in history and forever in the palms of His hands.
I am not Eve.
Just a woman of God and a woman of Man.”

As she looked back once more
I took her hand

A flash of mist rose before us
I could see everything in the tide of time
a creation of love and family
her journey across the sea
until finally through this water wall
there she stood at this ocean of possibility
asking if I might answer the call
ready to drop the shroud of skim
and allow me to enter in

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No kingdom of man
no Olympic celebration
no priesthood master
no marriage revelry
no victory of war or military distinction
no leaves of life

Just a crown of thorns
a scarlet robe absorbing the blood from his lashes
a reed in his hand
And when they hailed the King of the Jews
stripping him of the robe and mock scepter
not even the reed was crushed

Thus in the silence of blood,
Isaiah’s word
“Behold my servant
whom I hold fast
my soul delights in Him
My Spirit is His
and He will bring justice to the Gentiles.

He will not cry out
his voice will not raise to be heard in the street
even a bruised reed he will not break
nor a barely burning wick extinguish
faithfully He will bring justice forth.

Nothing will crush Him
until He has established justice on Earth
the coastlands will wait for His law.”

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The queen has been taken to a fiery spire in the east
across many lands to the city of warlocks
they say sorcery and evil torment the flesh there
few have entered in to that place freely without succumbing to its blackness
It is why dark magic was banned and separated from man many ages ago
but its influence persists like the shadows of the soul

By the order of God
I am coming to save the queen
I am coming to confront myself

They say to not repay evil and to wait for the Lord.
He will deliver you.
That a king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.
That the breath of man is the Lord’s lamp
and that He knows all his innermost parts.

If I am to preserve the king
and uphold his throne with love
then I will blow a wound to cleanse the evil that holds the queen in the east
and let God’s wheel crush the chaff

By the order of God
this holy decree of protectors of men
for all our glory
I am coming to save the queen

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A romantic rowboat ride I delightfully surveyed
from a peephole along a parkway bridge
a postcard if I ever saw
a couple paddling in and out of soft sun and shade
surrounded by such dense green
the city towering ahead must seem so far beyond

A little piece of something old
amidst something new
a little reverie
away from metal skylines
and routines that keep us tied
come closeups of brush
the sound of waters gentle rush

Smiles accompany time away
where life welcomes time for life
a couple paddles into the next chapter of their story
beyond the peephole along a parkway bridge

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In the rhythm and the running
the lift of her waist
the perfect posture she is donning

Each movement a careful gesture in formative poise
a building block of valiant strength
shining fluorescent green paired with nubile skin
cutting through breathless noise

Fit for each moment
whatever challenges her shining heart or vigorous form
patience has led her to prosper
to build a fortress of solitude and quiet storm

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Wide flecks and sprayed splashes
this is how she sees the world
movement in dashes
spattering sponge

When the wind blows
there is no season that isn’t full of fluttering brush
though the current of her eyes may catch blotched beauty that for most lays dormant and still
each motion of seemingly idle life lights up the dark

Whether it be leaves or dust
seashells or sand
lilies or moss
fossil and ash
cloth and food
keys and secrets
she moves amongst people and things that surround her as a dancing warrior charmed
the color of mistral skill trailing behind
insight warm
conviction cold
inspiring reflection in some
internal distress in others

When the wind blows with knowing
catching her hair with calm
easing the arms and legs of her frame into the air of beauty and blemish
there is no season in which the depths of life do not begin to gather round like a sash of autumn against a white summer dawn

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I lifted my eyes to the mountains
the heavens towered over them

I stepped up the pitch
stopping to stand in their faces
the heaves towered over them
I stepped on each wrinkle and crease to the top

My summit was not the apex of stone
the overlook or the pass
nor was it the ascent of spirit

It was to look upon all the Lord has made
who made me and made his own

The Lord is your keeper
the shade on your right hand
the sun will not strike you down by day
nor the moon by night

Above the mountain
I raise my fist
help has come
help is here
the heavens tower over me

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I woke up at the mouth of a shallow river under a spiraling wave of stars
what brought me there was as evident to me as exploring the space of existential questions
the air was dense and heavy
yet full
almost hyperbaric

Water never seemed so blue in the dead of night
golden reflections lingering on celestial bodies passing

Rambling ahead
I noticed my feet were washed
my clothes new
conscience clear
mind renewed

Beyond a hedge of wall and brush
a spire stood pointing toward the open ceiling of shimmering sky
bulwarked
steady in amber light

One body watching in ethereal play
vaulting between floor and canopy
one body praying for my soul
in the middle
clasped in the right hand of God

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Carving through a clamorous barrel
running lines in balmy sunshine apparel
the sound of the sound guides the surf under my feet
another day of riding waves happily complete
there’s nothing like the call of the foamy blue
the deck of a longboard to sweep me from sand to sea

Just as water’s flow brings rolling action
so too does the stream of a warm shower prepare me for home
Where saltwater draws the horizon towards my heart
fresh water breeds a sanctuary of flowers and wood
my breasts overflow with the call of the foamy blue and the blooming of red petals

I tilt my head towards the sky
running my hands through rinsed hair
wondering if someday I may ride a wave and find blue sky on the other side

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Woman vs Waterfall
White water vs Sable Skin
in a vaulting cavern of mossy green pinned to the side
a photography match to remember through this lens is eyed

Cap over the brow
braids tucked behind the back
a snugly fit two piece and an ankle bracelet
is all the contrast this towering beauty needs to capture on the shutter attack

A camera in hand as she makes her way down
her first enticing pose
sitting pretty amidst rocks in front of a waterfall sound
one leg nestled up to her chest
creating the illusion of a disappearing V
her long hair let down along with her arms and other leg
showing that nature’s sculpting
is as smooth in tone as the muscles honed at home

A final profile from the side
one at leisure but with muscles curled in
blending in with the rocks of the waterfall basin
sable reflection in ripples still
as the camera pulls away
perhaps a fusion of the outdoors with athletic excellence is in view

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Nahdeizazdi
Are you watching now?
Though man may wander less in these lands
the heart finds no answer in man’s distractions.

There are lessons in old things
old ways
as there are in observations of some new things too
but it seems we struggle now to be quiet

We have shored up our knowledge to shield ourselves from what we can know from God’s earth
have we traded the balance of looking out for looking in to swell our own girth?

I hope for a sunrise Nahdeizazdi.
I may not have your ancestry
but when I am in Heaven I hope to see some of what this land I call my home was like through your eyes.

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We know the world cannot pause
but maybe it can
If God exists outside time
then time can feel slow for a woman and man
like a wind of Eden has swept into a hotel room 4 stories high
in a European village with nature nearby

As my husband holds me in a little dress I’ve held onto for just such a day
he is donned for the occasion too
just me and him and our little view

Lifting my leg so he can look me in the eye
all while leaning me down as my hair drapes back
his unbuttoned shirt and frizzy hair
seem to flow with his gaze as he says “Hello”

Trusting his arms and his hands
I allow myself to fall into his arms
and my leg to rise
he guides me in dance of confidence told from husband to bride

Grinning at a morning perfect
slow
still
he beckons me to the table on the balcony with a breakfast of pastries and fruit accompanied by a heart-filled box of chocolates and flowers
“A sweet suite for my sweet,” he says.

We sit down across from each other and look into each other’s eyes until time seems to start again.

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Growing together
through the seasons
through the years
what began as a way to feed others
began to feed each other

A greenhouse
how many people make a life out of that?
But we did
and we’ve seen so many others make it part of theirs

Our strength when we started was risk
we had nothing to lose
everything to gain
ironically
it remains much the same

Certainly as we age
various pressures
finances
they all change

But what remains true
is that everything we’ve gained has been together
whatever the road has ahead for us
we’ll take these blessings with us too

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In this cobalt city
awash in phantom blue
there is only one detective that towers above them all
there is only one
staying up into the wee hours when all others are at rest.

It’s in a dark room where images become clear
the silence where whispers grow audible
and I stop getting calls from that infernal constable!

I swear
well no, I don’t, but you get what I mean.
Have you ever had a pesky parent or significant other or obnoxious client enter your office over and over again in the span of 10 or 15 minutes only to break your train of thought so much it takes another 30 to settle in only for them to barge in again and then you can’t go back to what you were trying to do for a few hours, all because you can’t keep having to fall back to make your way to where you were? Police. You love ‘em. You hate ‘em. Human behavior is analog. You can’t neatly pack it up until all its pieces are spread out like a messy collage inching closer and closer into a cohesive picture of criminal buffoonery.

Tonight
I’m on the hunt
the caps have only got a hunch
but I’ve got my magnifying eye on some developing clues
and under the light of this blazing full moon
those hoodlums won’t know what hit ‘em but a silhouette in a fedora in high heels and a badge

Oh, the officer of the peace gets to shine the light of a cool night of justice in the whites of their eyes
and click cuffs as they are shuffled to the back of the car that will take them from operating in darkness to suffering in it.

However
with each illicit mug that is rolled away
awash in the light of the blue moon
Lady Phantom looms

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With a spirited tug as the sun began to take its rest
two beachbound girlfriends knew their day of fun in the sun must unfortunately close

It seemed like ages since they were last able to joyously laugh and play with sand between their toes
though just a few summers had passed
in a couple of young lives time orchestrates change in so many ways

But with them both came sighs of great relief inside
childhood sun still glowed in their hearts
because a tradition of little rascals was as beloved as ever

“Piggyback rides forever?” one asked.
“Same as always,” the other said, “Even if you’re taller than last time.”

Smiles bloomed between them with newfound generosity as they walked away from the ocean
gleefully waving at a shoreline that had brought memories countless and carefree
their hearts rested in the assurance that as they entered the unknown chapters of adulthood marking the rest of their lives
they were prepared for more than just fun
they were ready to be there when needed through each step and surprise

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