still a taste
of marine salt on my lips
I met the sea once

tattered cookbook
leans against the Cuisinart

hands with crumbs
offered for a song
silent bird

if you promise not to tell
rock star leers at groupie

river at night
hides its colors
sunrise revelation

no ghost in the closet
no monster under the bed

he waits
while she chooses
lubricated latex

exploding balloons
stop kisses beneath the tree

sweet sixteen
last surprise party
planned by mom and dad

melancholy draws the air
even the moon is clouded

another performance
under the big top
clown face

the village circus
synonym for smiles

lactose intolerant
she orders tofu
instead of cheese

shells in the waves
poetry on the menu seafood

water retention
a hackneyed excuse
back on the diet tomorrow

apple pie on the table
flaunting deliciousness

after-dinner dance
she adds spice
to the old routine

my love's my drug
I'm his tattoo

tonight the moon blushes
full of shame
while the curtains flame

inside the confessional
disguised voices

listening moon
the poet asks for his love
and wants an answer

truth or dare?
she pretends to be asleep

quiet prayers
sit on benches
screaming priest

slapped by the town bully
he turns the other cheek

caressing flowers
that have her name
sign of first love

forgotten again
she sends herself a birthday bouquet

strawberries left
for days inside the basket
time for pumpkin cake

this year, big harvest
next year, smaller garden

busy bees
producing lasting honey
from short lived flowers

working on the romance
with candles and potpourri

he can say, 'I love you'
in seven languages
none of them hers

speaking to the dog
through noise and gestures

old magician
his bag of tricks
full of holes

dropped ice cream disappearing
with the cat's licking

damaged goods
accepted with a smile
at the women's shelter

food containers piling
along miles of beach

08/18/96 - 04/19/97