the closest thing to a hopeful poem i can write today

my wife read the poems of yesterday, and informed me that i was way too scary. but i'm not as depressed as it seems, even though i wrote all those poems out of a set of true emotions.

here is my explanation.

the blessings of valdez

oil spill
anointing

to rectify
chemical wash
and steam cleaners
erasing

the photographers are happy
and the crew moves on
a job well done

but the spill still seeps
infused into substrate
unreachable without destructive force
beyond the ability of technology to erase
it keeps coming to the surface

the annointed will never be the same
it will always
secretly and slowly
show itself to be that place
where the oil spilled
the annointed one

and, today's bonus poem ...

beep

small miracles lay eggs and build nests and fly around my house singing to each other they banish silence and bring a peculiar peace this morning when they started to sing it sounded exactly like my computer confirming my keystrokes with the crows playing the role of the error buzzer and so i had to stop and remember how to hear sounds that are not generated by my actions that are not requesting my input that are not even for me a commuter train blowing its horn as it crosses some intersection a garbage truck, pneumatic sigh as it comes to a stop a dog barking so far away that it is a wonder i can even hear it a hammer telling knock knock jokes with no punchline another, further away a circular saw screaming a siren, i whisper a prayer a jet, wiping a roar across the sky and the birds, confirming nothing but their own existence

Comments

[Ryan Sharp]

Geez Michael, you're so stinkin' gifted with this stuff. When's the book coming out?

[Michael Toy]

let's see ... that's you,

...

me,

...

my mom.

3 copies sold.

not yet :)

thanks, the insecure artist in me needs all the encouragement he can get.

[Sis]

I'll buy one. Four.

[andrew jones]

just glad you are writing poetry . . . always a good sign.

hey - i miss you!!! are you coming back to orkney?

[shelley Pagitt]

Are you kidding? These poems are awesome and further confirm my faith in your contribution to those who are blessed to walk with you!
I missed you all at Glorieta!
Shelley

[dave]

A haiku for Michael's Monday

michael's autumn requiem
makes his wife fear for her life
but autumn is only one season