Gato Blanco

"Don't lick your stitches,"
I sigh, firm as if you understand me,
sweet like a best friend would,
but you are cat.

Long-bodied, stretched
and slender tail, white sleek fur,
the golden eyes stare me down
wise and fierce.

It is me who needs chiding,
it is me who is student
grasping to know you
but I don't.

Pied Piper

I'm an orphan, urchin child
dirty face, tear-streaked
matted rat hair.
Lost, I wonder.

Enter you, debonair
crass and blunt tongue
wild-eyed
monster truck revs
magician.
Weaving your
charming tales.

So I follow,
not blindly but thoughtfully
consciously.
I adjust my blinders-
"Lead the way!"

Eight

 "Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."

I can't focus;
the list is too long.
you start crossing out names of people
you've never even known.
I'm protestin'
I ruined lives, you hear me?
that doesn't go away with
your pen, marking out whole years
of sorrow and bile
Then-
You crossed out her name
I say,
that's ok, that one name,
she's dead, I cant fix that.
and you said
that's ok dear
this is the first-time
ever
in this life
you don't have to fix anyone
or anything
only be willing.

Husband

He sleeps, snores reverberates in and out,
in thank, out you, in thank, out you.
Crochet hook fingers loop tightly.
I feel it through and through,
I love you, so I tip-toe and I pitter-pat
to the kitchen so you don't wake.