it begins simply
packing a suitcase
what to put in
what to leave out
for the few days
remaining still
but in the act
resolution
and the quick beating
of my heart
other writing
riding the river: from Vessy’s paintings
surging forward
toward the horizon
where sun
where moon
where stars
will be
breaking free
riding the river
of life
like thee
fireflies: for Vessy
fireflies fill the night
burning the sand
she stands on
her toes aflame
the fire rising
to her heart
all aglow
then shooting out
igniting the sky
for all the world to see
the passion of fireflies
and she
there is a wind
there is a wind
that blows
from where I stand
over land over sea
no mountain high
no ocean wide
can stop this wind
from caressing the faces
of those I love
wherever they may be
from a line by Wei Ying-wu: those close to my heart
the day breaks
the night ends
not for naught
as long as I hold
those close to my heart
a variation on a line from Li Po: image of heaven
a light
burns there
in the distance
guiding one home
on the way
toward one’s image
of heaven
parenting
sitting in the café
my morning ritual
a child of six
wanders up to the bar
tattoos on both arms
a balloon in hand
parenting I think
in need of repair
the things we carry
the things we carry
are the things
that won’t let go
Alica at the station
she boards the train
in the evening
traveling a land
that has seen war
for centuries
past scorched earth
through lush fields
of grain
over rivers
in forests
to arrive
the next morning
in the capital
looking up to the sky
with hope
in her heart
to paraphrase my mother
it’s the company
one keeps
that defines
one’s character
Leonard Durso 