the cat
chases a ball
across the floor
the bell tinkles
he rushes forth
oh how easy
to chase a ball
across the floor
life
here yes here
here is a seed
here some earth
pour some water
gather some sun
wait a day
a month a year
a century perhaps
but here yes here
will be life
Harry standing eight
he is up, up
swaying slightly
as if in a strong wind
though no wind blows
through the rooms
that make up his home
just the wind of memory
and regret
of lost moments
failed promises
and hope gone missing
from his door
from a line by Rodney Crowell: every turn in my road
every turn
in my road
every spill
on my way
all the lies
in my ear
all the hurt
in my heart
all the dust
from my eyes
brought me here
brought me here
not so briefly
there was no way
of knowing
then
of what of where of why
to follow
nor the debris
left behind
in your passing
not so briefly
in my life
surroundings
pictures on the walls
a tiny metal dinosaur
a boy scout mug
a dog’s ashes
a cat asleep
a bowl of almonds
a glass of whiskey
a novel in progress
a book of poetry
a lamp burning
a nod to Su Tung-p’o who gave a nod to Confucius: riches abound
a glass of whiskey
the cat on my arm
the sounds of night
riches abound
another variation on a line from Su T’ung-p’o
in this life
so full of partings
what joy
in meetings
new
life
a long road
that twists turns
with no end
in sight
life
the night gives
bits and pieces
a word here
there a phrase
a puzzle incomplete
this the night gives
for the morning
to reshape
Leonard Durso 