Hallucinations
Delusions
and we argue or agree,
Placate or debate,
against the injury in your brain
against frustration and pain
Face the inevitable
and wonder if you’re able
to see the irrevocable
ruination.
poem-taped December 17, 2015
Once upon a time
you sent me cassette tapes in the mail,
one sided conversations taped in the car
on your commute to the radio station,
elucidating the state of our universe
and illuminating that eternity
I was so fond of,
while people glanced from their vehicles,
confused or amused as you talked to yourself
but really me.
Once upon a time,
I talked to you,
but really myself,
elucidating the state of an imaginary universe
that would not become real,
no matter how many words wrapped around it,
or how many miles of magnetic tape professed it.
Once upon a time
we shared a fairy tale,
and when I listen to us now, I wonder that we ever believed
in the intensity of the narrative we told ourselves.
poem-Christmas train December 16, 2015
From coast to coast the train rolls
Bright, coloured Christmas lights,
stopping town to town.
The doors pull back and musicians play.
Portable concerts for the holiday.
.
.
Here’s a link to a photo of the train.
poem-old dog December 15, 2015
Old dog
curled on a cushion
foggy eyes still adoring
tail still wagging
slow to rise, feet creak,
aging devotion.
poem-hack December 14, 2015
I’m tired of this hacking cough
I wish these bugs would bugger off.
It’s hard to breathe; I’m prone to sneeze.
I wish this cough would stop!
poem-congested December 13, 2015
The highways of my respiratory tract
are packed with traffic;
the by-ways are flooded, backed-up,
the constant dripping drainage is not sufficient,
to clear this congestion efficiently.
poem-hoarse December 12, 2015
If you want me,
I am but a small and raspy thing.
Leave me quiet,
cover me with honeyed warmth;
Let me have your soothing words,
fluid kindnesses,
wrap me up in love.
poem- swimming December 11, 2015
Our bodies are mostly water
and my head is swimming as I lie.
Consciousness swirling in eddies,
I’m drowning in myself.
poem-sniffle December 10, 2015
Congested nose
a sniff, a sneeze
and then a cough.
Pass a tissue, please?
poem- bangles December 9, 2015
When you gave me these bangles,
(artisan made, grown-up gift for the babysitter)
you oozed confidence, security, achievement.
In your warm brown house with its plush carpet, modern art,
and dishes spun on a pottery wheel,
you were cozy cool, the perfect mom in the perfect family:
professional husband, professional mom, two cute kids.
You had it all together.
But everything dissolved,
first family to divorce,
then your mind to madness,
finally your body to cancer.
Now you are dust, and the memory of you chimes
on my wrist in tarnished bronze and copper bangles,
and jingles, “Celebrate now, for who know what the future brings?”
Shawn L. Bird 
