found a little path back home

Took a little time away with me

A few books

Some rum

A hell of a lot of sun

Wore a hat

Like it had always belonged

Swam with turtles

Held my lovers hand

And didn’t have to let go

Danced with a coconut

On dusk-lit sand

And slowly but surely

Made friends with me again

push and shove

I can feel the weight in my toes once I really get swinging.
The rope feels rough in my palms in just the right way
and the wooden seat that I press in to when I stretch my legs back out,
well, I wish it dug in a little harder.
My stomach does a little skip at the highest point.
It knows we’re on our way down before my body can even follow.
And I have to admit I hate that part the most
even though I disguise the panic by letting my head roll back
and my hair trail along the ground,
collecting leaves and twigs on the way.
And on the short little climb back up,
the sun twinkles just so
and I fake a little smile
because I’ve learned the rhythm well enough
to know there’s only time for a spurt of a giggle
before I kick back at the knees
lean forward back into the abyss
and I pretend to know it all here too.
But it’s impossible to see what’s lurking behind you
or who’s out to get you in the most tricksy way
when you’re swinging backwards

the architect

I am building a fort

like when I was seven

with the pillows

and the chairs

my aunties cats hairs

and a safety blanket

with its holes

where the light came through

I’ve got the string

I’ve got cookies and milk

I’ve got scarves of silk

but this one extends to the beach

and lets the seagulls nest on my belly

this one runs down to the woods

and nuzzles with the deer

this one won’t be interrupted

by ‘dinner’s ready’ or ‘turn off the telly’

this one is no trespassing

for both our safety

you won’t even see it

or me within

it’s my new safe shell

in my own little hell

abracadabra

I’ve always loved a magic trick. Especially cards. You can have endless fun with those. I’d love for you to teach me the one where you guess the card I’m holding by looking into my eyes. closely. For a very. long. time. Here. Let me practice some more. On that bench there. But you always preferred to perform bigger and louder tricks. On stages. With audiences. And sometimes daggers. Your most notable one? To disappear completely.

shanty

her sea pirate balances
on the edge of their rowboat,
that she’s a row, row, rowing
the long way back to shore
he’s rocking it
for her amusement,
her clutch and sigh
he’s jumping and twisting
he’s one triumphant joker
he’s wide eyed
abandonment
he does not see
the sea spilling in
her water eyes stung
by the salty high waves
as she rows faster
and faster
with aching arms
he does not see
her hic-up laugh
is one of panic