Diplomatic Excursion

European cousins
are we so different
day to day our rules
made by other deserts
other oceans same physics
but of course you
are the experts have
traveled here got fed up
immensity random order
want the Lucky Charms
say you love the marshmallows
all pastel all full of air.

Standard Issue

The tomb is colorful
everyone is there
you must be taught
how to hold me
I take your elbow
and show you.

Our wigs are perfect
we knew wheat
we were not vegans
or anywhere close

but we were so careful
everything appearing proper
hearts so heavy so fleeting
clocks were solar powered.

Working For or Against

It wasn't that I minded going
or in fact leaving eight hours
horribly disorienting
not to be the one there
when that was my job all the way
home it was a foreign country
my passport and other papers
decided my stay a flimsy map.

Out of the Ordinary

Later I thought about it all.
Those had been my lucky days
up the Umpqua just focused
on which Snapple I would choose
at the Dry Creek Store.  Just
across from there and downhill
is an amazing hole in the river.
Once there was time to relax there
and get to know it and the Snapple.
A small beach ignored the rushing water
it was peace out time with just
part of the crew and not everyone.

Apostrophe

I came to know the tree
a little too well best friends
until I noticed I was falling apart
breaking towards my core
it did not stay unchanged.  My worry
was that I would not be recognizable
as the solid one the biggest one.
The bear would not miss my shade
would be satisfied with expansive filtered light
from above and not from just one side.

Down To

Those moments are best
anticipating home
like the phone call
rings and rings
ghost is there
again before the click
suddenly awake alert
before my travel alarm
now insignificant.

Like Then

What will it be like
alone alone
when you leave
the room

how it was
in Meersburg
I'd stick my head
out the tiny window
through the snow
I could see the castle
eyes ears nose disappeared
then noticed.