The Poetry Marathon

Revelry

like a pup again
tossing her treat in the air
the old girl is back

Strawberry Moon

rising crimson orb of night, large against the starry sky
full of herself and unafraid to bedazzle.
the sweet red flesh of passion
ripened heavy-weight bends stems
to the soft June ground, where
field mice and voles sink their
pointy teeth into each berry then
quickly move on to the next one.
ruby lips dripping summer’s feast
in the magic of moonlight.

To Take Back the Night Again

the clock strikes twelve and
like all good Cinderellas
it is time to flee the ball.

majestic filly’s high stepping gait
fades to field mice scurry,
gilded carriages, slump to fallow pumpkins.

celebration of collective beauty and strength,
withers to a handmaiden’s tale
as courts rule supremely over her body.

what took so long in coming
and seemed to some so secure
vanishes with the flourish of a judge’s pen.

Where do we go from here?

Lust

I Long for your touch,
Under the sheets, sweet, sweat clings
like STrawberry jam.

Golem

clay from River Vltava, formed by mystic hands
protector from racist attacks, faithful servant,
“truth” carved upon your chest
still awaits the bidding in Prague,
the synagogue were entire families
where rounded up for transport to slaughter.

Adam was a golem, til imbued with a soul.
will we need you once again?
or have we learned lessons of equality,
equanimity and justice?

3 Chihuahua haikus

Ears as big as legs
giving all herself to you
love in a dog suit.

Stars upon my back
tiny, but don’t you be fooled
I’m ready to fly.

little one, your ears
so alert, your eyes so big
ready for what’s next

Cousins

What have you gathered my children,
and where are you going?
In through the front door and
straight out the back.
gardens await you, while
the sea meets the shore.

Will you carry your gatherings across
generations? Place them on your mantle,
remembrance of times past, of laughter
merged with wind chimes, flying kites
on the beach and rolling down the hill
grass stains on knees, sandwiches fusing
sticky fingers, while brownies stain
lips and cheeks when eaten on the run.

Bodies age, but hearts remain connected.

Giggling haiku

flutter of my heart
chime throughout the galaxies
come back home to me

Wheel of Fortune

Eagle soars the unclouded cerulean sky
spotting field mice, rabbit, and the neighborhood cat
sunning or scampering in the open field.

I must hunt for my babies, as you must hunt for yours she cries.
the cashew cheese you have adapted delights and fills your children’s bellies,
with no life taken.
what choice have I?exclaims eagle
as she snatches rabbit to the sky.

Shlishit

After three stars appear in the sky
Havdalah prayer marks the end of sabbath,
bridging sacred time of being, with secular time of doing.

Grandfather’s powerful voice reverberating prayers sing out
over sweet red wine,
I stand upon a chair to hold the flickering braided candle
stretching for the highest I possibly can reach,
for the tip of the flame will be the stature of my destined beloved.

fragrant scent of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and orange peel,
fill the air and tingle my nose,
while singing candle flame is extinguished between Zayde’s thumb and forefinger.
We break the sweet challah bread and dip chunks into the
long-time stewing chicken soup.