Love Letter

imagine kissing
in a garden near a lemon tree
under twinkling lights

in a forgotten chapel
on a park bench at midnight
in a deserted ballroom

imagine kissing
on a low wall
in the air alive

against a high wall
feeling pressure and hunger
which is desire

to imagine kissing
is release
desire is release

the nature of desire
is not to have
but to want

On Losing CC

thinking about giving in pink ink
about greed and generosity
and community beyond self-interest

having hand-watered the entry garden
this hot spring evening
and taken down the signs

children holding hands, walking forward
into a green, positive future
-- but not on my dime, said the neighbor

so what will become of the neighborhood
that values not sacrifice or service
that values acquisition and politics

and it crops up again and again
in the sound of running sprinklers
despite a forecast of rain

in a lack of lovingkindess
today's children
are shortchanged

awaken neighbor
to the cries outside your window
this hot spring evening