You want to forget all the things that they said, 

you want to forget all the things that they did. 

You want to forget all their treachery & sin, 

you want to forget all the times they tried to do you in.  

You want to forget all the hurt & the lies, 

you want to go through just one day without crying. 

You want to forget all the lying & cheating, 

you want to forget the sadness of all your grieving. 

You want to forget the love that did you wrong, 

you want to forget the times you were not strong. 

You want to forget the times you were cruel, 

you want to forget the classes you took in school. 

You want to forget your backtalk & your rage, 

you want to stuff your dark parts into a cage, 

or a box, & lock the sick things down with a key— 

Sure, you can, but it won’t be easy, 

because the Box of Pain will open again & again. 

We are not perfect; we try not to live in vain 

but mistakes & depression will rear their ugly head, 

& we often become helpless with dread— 

Can we be better? Can we follow the light? 

Can we say “Good night” to the night? 

Impossible! We were born flawed & slow, 

fallen feathers & leaves upon the snow. 

None of us is born without pain, 

our hearts beat wildly as a runaway train. 

We must deal with our own darkness as we go. 

Hopefully the madness of our minds won’t grow 

as they take apart our lives, sinew by sinew— As tears flow freely, green shoots spark from the ground, anew.

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.

And the humidity’s too high today— 

another trip to a new park   

is cancelled. Too darn hot outside! 

When will we finally enjoy Summer? 

Another trip to a new park  

bit the dust, thanks to falling rain. 

When will we finally enjoy Summer? 

Now the winds come in; the clouds are heavy; the hot air 

bit the dust, thanks to falling rain. 

It’s too windy to sail on the Hudson.  

Now the winds come in; the clouds are heavy; the hot air 

dissipates, but only for a while. 

It’s too windy; the sail on the Hudson 

is cancelled. Too darn hot outside! 

(dissipates but only for a while) 

and the humidity’s too high today.