This is a late Valentine’s gift

for you—I hid the evidence.

Sorry I’ve been forgetful.

I still love you!

For you, I hid the evidence

of neglect and self-hatred.

I still love you!

The chain mail of sadness I wore

of neglect and self-hatred,

it used to be strong, like our love.

The chain mail of sadness I wore

it now feels like an all-cotton T-shirt.

It used to be strong. Like our love—

(Sorry…I’ve been forgetful)

it now feels like an all-cotton T-shirt.

This is a late Valentine’s gift.

Love is present everywhere, 

in many different forms, 

not just bred for romance. 

Take a chance; 

hold your arms out 

towards the Universes! 

All will receive it. 

Only when one is  

ready & willing to receive, 

to give as well as take, 

to work & play hard, 

to surrender fully, 

to not fixate on false hopes 

& not press their luck 

on empty promises, 

when jokes become serious, 

when violence is recognized 

& eradicated, 

when the clueless gain understanding, 

when children remember their parents 

& to not blame or ridicule them, 

when parents see their children as people 

& to not blame or ridicule them, 

when the pedestals are destroyed, 

bubbles are burst, 

worldviews transformed, 

after digging out of inner abysses, 

setting fire to slave-ships of bad thoughts, 

taping over the vile voices one invents, 

casting themselves down, 

shooting themselves in the dark— 

when the love of self is alive & kicking, 

when the love of others is present, 

love is real, tangible, 

making the heart beat its dance. 

The sun is a hot bruise, 

lighting up the now cold bed 

where we once laid— 

Even though  

I will never tell you 

where I’ve been, 

I will wait forever  

for you to call out 

my name again 

as I search your name feverishly in the sky. 

Our names could have been entwined, 

sheltered from the jealous sun— 

but you disappeared  

without leaving behind any possible plans. 

I now lie in this bed, used. 

O gentle followers,

put down your heavy-laden, colorful bags

& sing songs, & say inspirational words

in your chosen place of worship.

Put down your heavy-laden, colorful bags!

Send forth good thoughts of generosity 

in your chosen place of worship.

Provide love & care for your family.

Send forth good thoughts of generosity 

& give to those who need.

Provide love & care for your family.

Try to do good this holiday season,

& give to those who need,

& sing songs, & say inspirational words.

Try to do good this holiday season,

O gentle followers!

This is the time to extinguish fear. 

All teeth need to be cleaned,  

after digesting sugary sweets & coffee drinks.  

Dentists are not evil.  

All teeth need to be cleaned! 

“But my gums continue to bleed—” 

Dentists are not evil;  

they just want to help you  

“…but my gums continue to bleed,” 

you shake your head; your hands tremble. 

They just want to help you.  

It’s going to be okay.  

You shake your head; your hands tremble 

after digesting sugary sweets & coffee drinks. 

It’s going to be okay— 

This is the time to extinguish fear. 

Autumn rain hits hard and cold

outside the Temple, after the long taxi ride;

empty inside, but warm & inviting 

He forgot his umbrella,

his mom will be upset when

she finds out;

every man for himself 

We can’t forget this night,

apples dipped in honey,

toasting another sweet year

as we wipe away the rain 

hopefully, not to bring any more pain—

& the fevers

of sickness and loneliness 

are not wanted now,

the trees are still covered in green,

full of wet leaves,

still sweet-looking.

Girl with wonderous eyes, 

she stayed & sovereigned so 

even though she never thought 

she would be in charge for 70 years. 

Born third in line, 

she was a normal princess. 

But, thanks to her uncle and father, 

she was first, in everything.   

Her nation became modern under her watch. 

Even with scandals, she stood firm, 

riding out storms, wars & the terrible years 

when her family & countrymen experienced their growing pains. 

She received the hardest job as a young wife and mother. 

Now her descendants & subjects dot the Earth 

as spirits showed off a double rainbow at Buckingham palace, 

the very minute she passed away in Scotland. 

Amidst the tears, Lillibet,  

you stood firm & true. 

What would we do now 

without you? 

While others drink pumpkin & apple-favored drinks,

a new chill fills the air

as the kids return to school.

Hopefully all will be well—

A new chill fills the air.

Fear is slowly disappearing. 

Hopefully all will be well

before the next disaster hits.

Fear is slowly disappearing. 

People are smiling again.

Before the next disaster hits,

we will wrap ourselves in new sweaters!

People are smiling again.

As the kids return to school,

we will wrap ourselves in new sweaters

while others drink pumpkin & apple-favored drinks—

Now that the morning’s gust of air is cool— 

could we all come out to play 

before you kids go back to school?  

Maybe today? 

Could we all come out to play 

while the sun beats hot?  

Maybe today? 

We can’t be foolish 

while the sun beats hot, 

(& you, drink plenty of water) 

We can’t be foolish 

but we want to get some iced coffee 

& you, drink plenty of water 

before you kids go back to school! 

But we want to get some iced coffee 

now that the morning’s gust of air is cool— 

The light glimmering from the trees—

the schoolgirls’ long socks look perfect as they talk together

Between temples and majestic trees,

she wanders alone in the soft evening.

A wedding procession, charmed by trees

& flowers; as they approached the temple

she remembered her wedding day. The trees 

in New York seemed so miniature then—

Now moved to L.A., the palm trees

seem like friendly aliens.

The paper tree 

of dreams and wishes

haunt her as the shadows of the trees

paint the Pacific Sugar moon.