Lake Baker Clean-up

Lake Baker clean up 

anniversary number five*

beside dead babies breath, mushrooms and fern fronds 

wrappers, bottles, needles, cans, car parts, plastic, and diapers 

kayaks, canoes, conservationists congregate 

camping in sun waned windy weather

buckets, bags, and pickers in gloved hands

success measured in shorelines and ditches

*J L Wright and her wife Kathy Smith, volunteers at the 2019 Clean up, we’re legally married on September 28, 2014

Chaotic Journeys

Looking out the RV window watching bear 

In the quiet of the northern summer night 

where there is too much light to sleep and 

we imagine there’s no place like home

It’s been a year since your fall down

a muddy bank at low tide the channel

was rank; rotting seaweed and fish

like the toilet in the corner of the garage

conversations in my head leave me

wondering about heaven and hell

“we need butter” he said, “there’s some 

in the freezer” the response. I glance

out the window, feel a twinge caused by 

an earring I took it off her writing desk. 

she’d often slip them off and rub gently.

In my dreams, I saved her maroon lobes

El Paso

200 or more in less than so many days - why is an AK an acceptable arm? This time Walmart and then another in a business area, a park, a church or school. This time racist rants warned us. This time is not the last time. They haven’t been able to shut it down. I listen to European news speak about the stupid Americans knowing that we are only set up for more damage, more destruction with single gunmen on rampages. I haven’t seen the list of names yet will it be one of my friends? Or children? The young man who did it sits alone in a cage for 20 or more hours a day for nigh on 20 years as 20 or more lay in boxes and another 20 plus in hospital beds. The cost for death nearly three times higher than imprisoning in max for life. The cost future generations lost.

rat tat tat echo
metal casings ringing heat
summer desert blossoms

52

Weeks in a year

cards in a deck

Ivory keys on a piano

An untouchable number 

for a touchable you

on this birthday

New Beginnings

I gave up eagles for seagulls and pigeons

I gave up counting cars for a classroom

I gave up freedom for responsibility 

I gave up route planning for lesson planning

I gave up life on the road for a sticks and bricks home

I gave in to being an open book with new blank pages

Redwood City

Moving to Redwood City

Redwood City here we come

They got a crazy way of living there 

and I’m going get me some

Parked in Trailer Villa

in spot 10A

Parked in Trailer Villa

Parked in spot 10A

Snuggling with my baby

Hoping this will work for today

I can leave by plane

I can leave by bus

But I want to drive 

Through the cars in all a-rush

In Redwood City

Redwood City here I am

MOTHER

Mother feeds a tree, long after gloaming
heart worn and wormed no longer roaming
intact she entered the clay
for she and the Son to rise some day
now is pinned by granite engraved
her family neighbors also enslaved
behind a latched gate
no animals shall ablate
dirt isn’t the best halm
or the way to think of mom