Selected Poetry

For years I have been summoned from sleep mid-dream

to tend to imaginary monsters and soaked sheets,

to stroke sweaty heads and whisper soft prayers for sweet slumber

before crawling back to bed myself.

I have held a weeping toddler after a stubbed toe

and a heartbroken schoolgirl after a friend’s betrayal.

I know what it is to soothe,

to tend to one longing for comfort and seeking rest.

Sometimes

A contorted length

Of tangled cord

I sit in a corner

And sob

          Emotions overlapping

          Energy flowing in circles

          The tears pull my insecurities

          To the surface

          With their tangy salt

A comforting hand

On my back

Burns with the lack

Of understanding

Of perception

          They just don't know

          My mind hurts me

          So badly

          Their hands can't fix

          The internal scars

​

originally published in Left Curve Magazine, No. 19, Cultural Identity and Globalization

She counts her calories at lunch,

Measure her self-worth

By the numbers on the scale.

The flattering new dress she bought

Hangs in the closet unworn,

Waiting while she sheds

The extra pounds.

When he kisses her,

She worries that his hands,

Tenderly carressing her waist,

Are secretly measuring her fat.

​

originally published in Teen Voices Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 4

Waspy whiffs of billowing breezes

Dreams of things with linen wings

Whitecaps rolling, flowing freely

Plump plum pillows fit for kings

​

Wispy winding towers of heaven

Cushion cotton softening pain

Cotton candy, sweetening, sticky

Cool crisp air before the rain

​

Ice cream frosting, white as winter

Snowflakes tinging on your tongue

Spun soft dresses, whispering pureness

Laundry drying, freshly wrung

​

All are clouds and clouds are many

Clouds can feel and heal above

Padding life and all its sorrow

Waking us to life with love

​

originally published in A View from The Edge, The National Library of Poetry, 1992