January River

Cold black water pouring through the window,

Cold black water rolling down the street.

Cold black water full of dirt and souls,

Full of coins and wishes,

Full of breath and heartbeats,

Full of loss and full of hope,

Can my boat and I hitch a ride?

Is It Still January?

Walking on the salt stained concrete,

thinking of warmer days.

Walking barefoot in the grass

and on the hot white sand,

stepping into lake water so cool and fresh,

our jeans rolled up to our knees.

The Adirondacks were dark green

and the air smelled of pine and sunshine,

even out in the middle of North Lake

where we lay in a drifting rowboat

holding hands.

I Lost You In January, A Million Years Ago

Your smile's burned

onto the inside of my eyes,

Your laugh is echoing

in the places where I never go.

Your tongue is whispering

sweet fulfillment in my ear,

I remember your silhouette

in your darkened living room.

I'm So Happy For You!

Love is the only thing that matters.

Love is always the best excuse.

Love is the thing most worth serving.

Love is the one thing will never turn its back.

Love makes the sun rise in the morning.

Love melts the deepest winter snow.

Love fills the tide pools and the fountains.

Love holds your hand no matter what.

So Warm In The January Starlight

You're sleeping now, your hair in a midnight pony tail, your lips parted as you breathe the night air. You're dreaming happy dreams now, because earlier I kissed your closed eyelids and wished you peace. Skunk is sleeping in the hollow of your curled up body as I've been writing emails to my best friend. In a minute I'll lie down beside you, wrap my arms around you to keep you warm.

Friendship, It Took Two Haikus To Tell The Story

We spilled our ink like

Black blood into the fountain

And stood holding hands.

You looked at me and

laughed as I cupped black water

in my hands and drank.

It Can't Be The End Of The Road

Kissing desperately,

frantically,

in the hopeless brick lined alley

by the river,

my hand on your bare thigh

as you sit in my lap.

And I know it's useless,

and I know it's a waste of time,

but I love you so much,

God, I've got to try....

Maybe The Best Two New Year's Eves Of My Life?

Eyes closed, your head in my lap, sleeping softly on the sofa on the first night of the New Year. Your mom is asleep in her bedroom and our friends have gone home, on the first night of 1969.

And I smooth your long brown hair over your shoulder, and I lean down and kiss your cheek. Moving so slowly, I manage to stand up without waking you, and I lay you down on the cushions, I cover you with a warm wool blanket, and let myself out to wait for the bus back home.

Eyes closed, your head in my lap, sleeping softly on the bed on the first night of the New Year. Skunk is sleeping the way only a well fed cat can sleep, and I pull the covers up over you, on the first night of 2011.

And I smooth your long brown hair over your shoulder, and I lean down and kiss your cheek. As gently as I can I take your tortoise shell glasses off and put them in the drawer of my desk. And I kiss your closed eyelids, to give you happy dreams. I can't wait for tomorrow, when I can kiss you good morning and Happy New Year!