these weary arms
are like puny wings
flapping ceaselessly
in a vain attempt
to reach heaven
other writing
wedding vows
wedding vows
a ring
on the finger
toss the rice
toss the confetti
dance to your song
cut the cake
the hava nagila
the tarantella
the alley cat
first the left foot
then the right
forever forever
sounds so much longer
than it ever is
from a line by Li Shang-yin: watching you
watching you
cross your legs
always caused a shudder
up my back,
shortness
in my breath
and a longing
in my fingertips
other plans
light filters in
this new morning
after wind after rain
the night before
I put aside the book
I was reading
and try to rise
but the cat
firmly anchored
in my lap
refuses to let me go
ah life
like this cat
has other plans
for me
too
after Liu Tsung-yuan: holding back tears
gazing at a picture
taken years ago
you dancing in apron
a holiday meal
among family
many of whom
are gone like you
it’s hard
holding back tears
knowing never to see
you dancing again
or singing off-key
those Italian songs
echoing in a house
no longer mine
twirl twirling
a young girl dances
on the street
twirl twirling
the mutli-colored scarf
on her head
matching the smile
on her upturned face
if only
if only
the years
with regrets with remorse
could come off
as easily
as a five day growth
with warm water
and a razor
to start fresh
again
a daily devotion
a rug is laid
on this bare floor
and Süleyman prays
a daily devotion
in deed
following thought
a new song
best not to sing
that old song
not now
not here
it’s not too late
to learn to sing
a new song
even now
right here
from a line by Li Po: aching heart
thousands of miles
countless years
cannot soothe
an aching heart
Leonard Durso 