for Nikki Giovanni

you break your lines mid
way
but they
don't break
or stop they
bop
and weave like
laughing hands
or a sparrow's sudden midflight
perch
inside the weave
of a chain
link fence
that threatened to tear off
her wings

but such a bird
hops
easily
through fences

such wings
turn
crossed steel
to diamonds



Five O'clock Shadow


When I'm tired and
sick and
old and
cursed
by five o'clock shadow
my father's face appears
in the mirror

But I refuse
to drown
the gleam in my eye with tears
If my child runs his fingers through my beard
I won't
drink myself
to death

Still
Forget it
Close your eyes
Breathe deep ashes
Take in some of your dad

The winds scattered him

Or he scattered himself
in the wind