Rolling right along

Green lighter

crème tobacco

pink papers

leather pouch.

Gifts not sexy, yet pragmatic.

Unscripted souvenir exchange

resulting in the automatic

presence of the missing other

with each fix inhaled

a smile from a distant lover.

Sag Crossing

And the archer galloped away
with her thoughts on his arrow,
not to be stolen,
but to be borrowed and discovered
until tomorrow...

Said He..

You
have the toughness
of a willow tree.
Perhaps, you'll tell me,
a weeping willow,
but a certain beguiling durability
nonetheless.

The Question of the Seed

The seed
cannot know
what flower
it will grow
into,
nor does it fear
the passage
from root
to blossom.
It only knows
that it needs
water to arrive
and sun to survive.
Whatever flower
it will finally be
is not a question
of concern for
the seed
cannot know
what flower
it will grow
into,
nor does it fear
the passage
from root
to blossom.
It only knows
that it needs
water to arrive
and sun to survive.
Whatever flower
it will finally be
is not a question
of concern for
the seed.

R & R (and T & T)

Sisters
of only brothers.

Daughters
of Eliases
and Jewish-Arab
mothers.

Carvers
of stones,
cleaners of gutters.

Sisters
at the roots
of real matters.

FIRST RESPONDERS

Man fallen.

Accident.

But it is no accident

that people know nothing

but to be calling

cell phones with fancy ring tones.

9-1-1, where are you?

Humble man fallen

in a pool of blood, unconscious.

Is he dead or alive?

Can anyone in this audience

tell me if this man will survive?

9-1-1, where’s the shiny fire truck?

Where’s the ambulance, where are the cops --

protecting civilians

giving vehicles tickets

for deadlines missed

by seconds on expired parking meters?

Is he dead or alive, dammit!

No one knows,

Nobody bothers to ask

this unknown man silently wailing.

Ten minutes of bloody life gone by

and the hysterical woman driver

is still praying to her god he didn’t die.

No, operator,

he’s not wearing a Rolex.

People stay away, don’t touch him,

stutters a callow student doctor.

He’s bleeding from a crack in the head,

can’t we at least

advise him not to touch it?

9-1-1, damn you!

Maybe we should have called

1-800-TERROR-2 instead

Tough guys and bullies

might have been instantly sent.

Can you hear me

Fallen man,

can you breathe for me?

No! Don’t touch your forehead!

Listen to me, please.

You’re alive,

but the woman who struck you

her future died today.

though I have a feeling

you-- are going to be okay.

And when tomorrow marks another day

it may not remember your name.

And as for me I might never erase

the helpless look on your face,

and together witnessing the vulgar numbness

of brothers among us in the human race.

Menu

Wild Ross with two kids on the side

and a lady al denté

sautéed in charm and boyishness

cooked over low fire

Served with cool jazz and hand-rolled cigarettes

$ priceless

Rx

What kind of chemo cures the cancer of silence?

What kind of aspirin repels headaches in the heart?

What kind of bandage stops the tears from pouring?

What kind of pill restores prayers torn apart?

What kind of crutches carry a limping memory?

What kind of cast can mend a broken dream?

What kind of lenses will offer clarity

to illusions blind eyes had seen?

Mrs.

Princess
standing on a mountain
looking at a far away land
deep in Afghanistan
where her eagle flies alone
without her.
she understands.

Waitress
caring for every patron
reeking or attired
so gentle in her outer tone
inside clearly expired
she shines.

Friend
silent in devotion
giving without command
nor the slightest of demands
like a perfect blessing
she calms
she understands

White Raven

Grease in her hair

weary a beautiful face

hidden from grace

and the land of tears.

Eyes like an eagle watching

fading, glimpsing emphatic

in her heart’s attic

of hidden fears.

Mother in her dreams

waiting for a free day

to remember and convey

I love you, mama.

Gracing lonely patrons

with Irish Lebanese cuisine

our soaring culinary queen

serving herself on a platter.

Desert Camel

Gentle man of humble

tabbouleh and tap water

where do you get your heaviness?

Have you swallowed the stones

of the endless Intifada?

Do you still carry bones

of the dead children martyrs

and do you still breath

the cries of widowed mothers?

Gentle man unload your bundle

Inner peace and peace of mind

are all you need to search for

Look beyond their nose

forever pointing upwards

Dance with your darling wife

a little more instead.

Live the the days of your life

like the day that you wed.

Gentle man when you reach a stumble

Journey inwards and leave the outwards

Clear your demons

cleanse your soul

You can return to your heavy role

between dances and dabkeh lines

tabbouleh and mountain wines

Let the season spring new gardens

in your gentle heart divine

Wings for Daniela

Rise like a phoenix

tell them who you are

before your name was chosen for you

Tell them you now own

this accidental life

Tell them you own

your genetics and mechanics,

and you’re not sorry

if it’s problematic

for your aunt and grandfather,

or distant cousin of his brother

Rise like a phoenix

show them the brilliance in your shine

as they try to dim your light

Show them with ease

your dazzling dreams

reflect their displaced sorrow

in your gentleness

of passion and compassion

depth and devotion.

Rise with no apologies

Rise with no regrets

Rise with no fears.

Rise up tall and never,

Never!

betray your personal legend.

Not a thing on earth is worthy

without a quiet mind

Not a thing on earth is worthy

without one’s genuine smile.