bogey & ruby

bogey & ruby

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Stair Training

the referral said
teach exercises
and train stairs
we reach the second floor
easy peasy
where her son waits
she's fine
but the dizziness may cause a fall
it already has
mended bone, broken spirit
does she want to go upstairs?
no
do you need her to go upstairs?
no but --
she needs to move more
to stay strong
he looks towards the room 
where she used to sleep
and at me
tired eyes plead
bring her back 
the mothering mother
who comforts
not the other way around
right then I am useless
so I bring her downstairs 
to the bed in the living room
where I show her exercises
that will keep her strong.


Friday, July 11, 2014

Fixer-Upper


Three years ago
I bought my soul back
And remortgaged the house
I'll give it a year, I said
Before giving up
And when a year passed, I said
I'll take it one year at a time.
The other day my father told me,
Your fence needs mending,
Then watched me sag against its twisted trellis
How long will you stay
He asked
At least two years, maybe seven
He sighed.
One should not remain
In a house that can't be fixed
Or a relationship without tenderness
I left the marriage
But kept the house,
Searching for peace
Within crumbling walls,
And buried brown thumbs 
Deep in its neglected garden,
Hoping to find something to save
And love again.