With memories made at the neighborhood pool,

we were slick & wet like Californian seals,

& I was dared to dive off the high dive

but I just jumped in—

We were slick & wet like Californian seals

floating in the cool water.

But I just jumped in

wearing a tiny, red bikini!

Floating in the cool water,

the female Lifeguard tossed out a floating pool noodle

wearing a tiny, red bikini.

Ah, what a day it’s been!

The female Lifeguard tossed out a floating pool noodle

& I was dared to dive off the high dive!

Ah, what a day it’s been

with memories made at the neighborhood pool.

An ancient fear of water

keeps me frozen on the shore.

But in dreams,

I continue to swim

in moss-green waves

as crystal stalagmites 

glittered in the cave; 

phantom dots glide in, 

where the sunlight

tries to trickle in 

from the opening.

My heart tries to slow down.

The ocean still calls to me:

“Jump in.”

My breath warms me up—

imaginary palm trees sway

& my toes sink in the sand

& I feel the wind 

rustle the tall beach grasses

before I wake up.

Summer has just started

with a cool breeze! Very unusual

for late June. The heartened heat

will kill us—soon.

I missed the imagined, pink-hued, 

Strawberry moon this morning.

With every movement—I feel stronger.

I want to breathe deep.

Even in vacationed times,

I work as hard as I can.

I barely remember not-working,

when I didn’t have to help provide

or lend a hand with chores,

or earn my keep. Freedom 

was a lifetime ago, when kids

loved Summer the best.

Now

I think I’m in love

as if I saw a rainbow

in a cerulean sky

Why

I give my heart

so easily, before the madness

& before anything else starts

Yes,

I’m still on the train—

the signal will cut out soon.

Why can’t you understand?

the inner pain—

& yes,

I’m still wearing a mask

so I can protect 

others from me

from any stuff 

I might be carrying

But is it enough?

We all have to be tough,

even though 

we are still vulnerable, 

pushing the red wheelbarrow 

up & down

& all around—

& when rainbow flags shine,

I wonder where is mine—

are bisexuals part

of the equation,

& color scheme anymore?

hidden romance 

under a cerulean sky,

fading into lavender?

Why 

are we still hiding?

I still wonder—

He wishes he was friends with a giraffe.

A mouse wants to climb up the high trees—

he wants to see everything.

What if he could be any other animal?

A mouse wants to climb up the high trees,

who maybe could even fly!

What if he could be any other animal?

Bats are strong mini-foxes

who maybe could even fly,

but he grabs a popcorn kernel instead. 

Bats are strong mini-foxes.

A sparrow tries to grub for worms

but he grabs a popcorn kernel instead. 

He wants to see everything—

A sparrow tries to grub for worms;

he wishes he was friends with a giraffe.

Tulips are exploding with color—

It’s the first day outside

without the rain! The sun is shining bright.

Petals are falling from trees.

It’s the first day outside!

Everyone is walking their dogs to the park.

Petals are falling from trees.

Strong breezes tickle strands of hair.

Everyone is walking their dogs to the park.

Poets’ voices become raspy while reading aloud.

Strong breezes tickle strands of hair.

Children are laughing & playing across the street.

Poets’ voices become raspy while reading aloud.

Without the rain, the sun is shining bright.

Children are laughing & playing across the street.

Tulips are exploding with color.

Afternoon light

was magic. 

Drum circle

@ 65th C was

played by one rock drummer;

he played “Get on up”

like a funk king—

Easter Sundays 

I used to see

kites flying

in the park,

but Central Park 

is so full

of budding trees

and masked people.

In Strawberry Fields,

a man wearing 

a Harley T-shirt

played “No woman,

no cry” on his guitar

and a lady

played “All you need

is love” on her guitar 

as pink-haired girls 

took pictures of

the IMAGINE plaque.

A year ago,

the park was empty.

Now the afternoon 

light shines on 

all of us.

The rain began to fall at 7 pm,

but we were not fools tonight.

We stayed home fresh & dry

as the restaurants opened outside—

But we were not fools tonight:

we told jokes & made popcorn

as the restaurants opened outside.

We entertained ourselves! 

We told jokes & made popcorn,

& we drank wine & made pasta.

We entertained ourselves.

Sex was on the menu—

& we drank wine & made pasta.

We stayed home, fresh & dry.

Sex was on the menu.

The rain began to fall at 7 pm.