the changeling

a stone angel

steps down 

from her pedestal—

the burden of wings 

others want her to wear

~A Hundred Gourds 4:2, March 2015

the empty shell

of a phoenix egg

sky blue

among the cinders

of who I used to be

~A Hundred Gourds 4:3, June 2015

raven, 

fox, or smiling lion . . .

I rummage

my wardrobe

for this day’s mask

~Ribbons 11:2, summer 2015

the river

echoing

across the river

the tune

my father used to whistle

on summer mornings 

~red lights 11:2, June 2015

no bridge

to that sunlit shore—

the stone

I skip across the river

falls short

~A Hundred Gourds 4:3, June 2015

step by step

I cross the stream 

on a fallen tree—

with open arms I balance 

childhood and old age

~Skylark 3:1, summer 2015