1. double trailer load
of strawbales
rolling through downtown
like a movie
moving across a screen
packs of yellow dried grass
against backdrop of matte low-rise
ironic heart-tugging juxtaposition
2. #9 bus
across the river heading west
across the river again heading east
an hour from here to there
passing
ed benedict skate park
ed benedict memory garden
feet on gravel standing in for sidewalks
se 119th and powell
3. trillium lake
afloat in rafty kayak
damsel dragonflies appearing in sound and touch and sight
voice sounds
throwing themselves back
across the water
thinking of the first echo ever heard
4. picnic table overtaken
considering
themes of displacement
5. osprey
scream from sky
showoff moment
dinner diving
fish flipping in clenched talons
6. smoked salmon sandwich
adolescent ducks
at lake edge
making soft sounds
7. mimosa blossoms
looking almost edible
does this sweet pink soft fireworking
happen twice a year,
or has time
really pushed forward this fast?
8. bright yellow honda/hyundai convertible
shams throwing her hands out the top
this is what convertibles are for
she says into the sun
and we can’t help but sing along
history re-inscribing itself
9. chris
watering our front lawn
we talk:
cover songs
geography of origin
cruelty of high scho0l
and what it means
to remain
while a whole wave of friends/lovers/community
crest and fall
to have pressed against hearts
that no longer thunder
in this world
10. philip glass
winter music
in the rise of heat of summer
11. hand-etched lantern
glowing
six hours away
casting gorgeousness
into faces at the table of friends
moving me through sad time of day
12. sweat soaked
the great sequinned accesory exchange
dear portland,
i haven’t left yet