Lost Charm

Sewer lines and subway tunnels,

a matrix of sidewalks, streets, and alleys,

museum corridors and high-rise hallways,

spiral stairways and ladders requiring 

passwords, codes, or keys, none of which 

can be found by the blind pig dangling 

from that chain on your wrist.

[LSS, 1/23/21]

Winter Quarters

The antique Persian rug 

with perfectly-resolved corners 

that lock her mind in place. 

The frieze of Greek keys 

just out of reach above her,  

jangling when anyone 

walks past her door.

Hummingbird nectar frozen 

in the feeder, the sun quarantined 

behind the clouds.

[LSS, 1/23/21]