Dream About My Mother

I hold you in my arms 

while you are dying.

We are lying on your bed together.

The pillows are puffed like clouds 

and the blanket covers us like bath water.

Your labored breathing quiets itself

into a steady, shallow rhythm.

A harpist is  playing, her fingers

making music with the air between the strings.

You ask me where we are.

“We are in The Palace of Tranquil Longevity with

Qianlong, the Chinese Emperor.

He is bringing you your favorite foods

and your favorite books.  He has red flowers

with the scent of Byzance and he has plucked

one petal to dab behind your ear.”

In a whisper, you tell him about the good years

of your life and the friends who loved you, 

and Qianlong listens and says,

“I am happy you are ending with good recollections.”

Around the palace, the work is stopping.

Everyone is listening for your breath.

© Evie Safran, 2015

The Emperor's Garden
in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity complex
Photo by Francisco Anzola
from Wikimedia Commons

Apple

ripens wondrously

at the perfect rate

to realize its

myriad potentials

sweet or tart

red, green, or yellow

reaching maturity

embraced by sun and air

only to be plucked

from its lofty cradle

protective seal pealed away

cool juices drained

golden meat consumed

until only the core remains

the apple’s essence

born from a season

of growth

then decay

sweet quintessence

tart stimulation

crafted over time

the apple 

generously gifts seeds

for a budding tomorrow

© William Vollrath

Apples
Illustration from Luther Burbank's
Half-hour Experiments with Plants (1922)
Library of Congress
Photo from Wikimedia Commons

New Sneakers

AWAY ------

I LOVE LITTLE KIDS IN AIRPORTS,

JUST LOOK!

BLONDE PONYTAIL FLYING,

WITH SHORT LEGS, PUDGY AND STUMBLING,

SHE CAREENS SQUEALING ACROSS THE VASTNESS

OF THE NEARLY EMPTY CONCOURSE.

ARE THOSE SMALL WHITE SNEAKERS

REALLY BUTTERFLY WINGS?

HER PARENTS ARE NOT FAR BEHIND,

LIKE ME, WITH A SENSE OF BOUNDARIES

AND BAGGAGE.

PERHAPS WE SHOULD GET NEW SNEAKERS.

© Gerry Sackett, 2015

Dulles Airport Concourse
Photo by Morio
from Wikimedia Commons