Cartographic Memory

Saying “this grave is for you” you put me to sleep one night, Years ago. Erased me from your memory. Now, when our lost intimacy presses my heart, I roll up my full sleeves, touch my naked forearms...

So with lowered head,
I give to you,
My last missive:
The best that I wish for you and me,
Is to be a stranger to one another.

Early morning, rain lashing at the window. A body sleeping on the bed. A dream entered that body. An old woman in the dream.

Went to bed last night, head heavy. Fighting off the day’s images, Of faces that wouldn’t smile, Of those that smiled excessively. Thinking to myself, “They all think I want something, why do they...

Amma, today I talked to someone Whom you would approve To lay me in my grave. Driving home, I said to you: Have you heard, have you heard? The sound of her heart beat filled to the brim with kindness that doesn’t...

Got up in the morning, Still reeling from Night visions Awoke to a quiet home Empty kitchen New tigerwood floors Wistfully filled up my expectations Raising up my hopes Will she like them? Sixteen miles of Tehachapi...