Call and Response: Day 5: If These

If these were arteries
they would rise up and float
on water if the water were not
frozen in this winter that does not
stop for ducks who will not stop for me
overhead they recite the same sure pattern
while on earth I tuck my hands into breast pockets
move toward art which I can capture and mail to you

Call and Response: 5: Keeping Pace

Call and Response: 5: Keeping Pace
Originally uploaded by vajra

Walking with men 
so fast we can't keep up
or see the blue feathers of the
Amazon Kingfisher
the traces of our small feet
indistinct or erased
but we
you and I 
know
we were there

Call And Response: Day 4: Rain, Rain...

Rain, Rain...#1
Originally uploaded by vajra

the week of rain
has washed
all the color
away
street
bike
sky
a beautiful
shade
of gray

Call and Response: Day Four: Finches

Finches before

the next snowstorm
take to the rungs like rummaging
before the robins arrive
before the seed is all cracked and buried
in ice, inedible sculpture

Call and Response: Day Three: Gnarls

Gnarls

stretch, these arms we carry as extensions
of our bodies, thoughts, our aging
scent of blue sky

lit from behind.
We are sturdy; rise up from frozen,
solid earth.

Call and Response: Day 3: Lightning

the light still glows
I fear to turn it off
the mechanism which turns it off
and on is a mystery
with a rhythym
unknown
light
no light
and then again light
not day
not night
just light

Lightning
Originally uploaded by vajra

Call and Response: Day 2: Sigh

Sigh
Originally uploaded by vajra

Little Christmas has come
and gone
boxes crowd table and chairs
so much to put
away
outside the bluster
which was invited for Christmas
has now arrived or promises
though Spring is sending
messengers as silent as
this sigh

Call and Response: Day 2

Won't you come inside and join me
for a cup of steaming tea
for the winter weather clings like
a lingering Christmas carol
of icy travel and wise men lost in time

Call and Response: Day 1: New Year

New Year
Originally uploaded by vajra

fogs in
day's gray
here and there a flower
puts the lie
to Winter

renaissance is coming
wearing gray chiffon
and a calla lily
in her hair

Call and Response: Day 1: Seeking Promise

Seeking Promise

Doubt is the fraying middle name for this
passing decade, jarring sleigh ride toward regret
hailing Prayer, a Siamese twin tightly frozen to my concrete hip
where cracks take on frigid water fast.