All poems will appear in Donna Hilbert’s new collection, Threnody

Pandemus

Upon a current flowing west,
a wide red swath divides the water.
I try to drown the thought of death,
but wish to know which curse is this
and what great beast is bleeding.

My ailing dog asleep all day,
my children grown and scattered,
sadness piles on sadness,
a layer cake of sorrow,
with icing made of daily dread,
and filling made of marrow.

From Sleep

Stupored from sleep, I survey my clothes.
Clothes left in the closet untouched
for a year, or longer, touch each garment
as if it were cashmere or silk,
hanging in a palace of goods
I could never afford, even dare enter.
Such is the breadth of my longing.

Turning to the task at my feet,
I rifle a basket of unfolded laundry
for my costume of sweatshirt and jeans.
Living from basket to hamper to basket,
I dress, lace my shoes, set out for a walk
to start one more day in the dark.

Dammit

Here I am on the back deck,
watching a guy on a tall
extension ladder paint
my neighbor’s house.
All week, I’ve nursed
a spark of indignation
that he and his co-workers
leave used face masks in the alley.

When they’re gone,
I sweep the masks into a pile
and bank them at the edge of the house.
By morning, they’ve blown back to the alley.
I sweep again to make a statement.
The ritual continues: they drop masks,
I sweep, I swear, the wind blows.

But, this morning, I see him
climb the ladder. It looks unsteady.
I’m scared for him.
He must have felt my gaze,
for he turns a bit toward me,
a big happy smile on his face.
He says, how are you?
I say, be careful.
He says, have a great day!
I say, you too.
Now, dammit, we’re friends.

Sympathy Pears

Sympathy pears are paired
with apples and a promise
of shipping within two days.
Regular pears and apples
take longer to box and send.

Sympathy pears and apples
are suitable for painting,
but the artist must supply
the skull, the worm, or fly.

Sympathy pears and apples
arrive with no protocol of care:
simply eat or ignore, no chore
to water, prune, or keep abloom.

Dear Bereaved One,
eat, or not, while you ponder
a Better Place, His Will,
Her Plan. Everlasting Love.
Or none of the above.