I will not let time enter into the fray
the albatross is already perched high
scanning the grey sea with grey eyes.

We returned to alien children
and wives we had forgot,
homes submersed in rot.
These women would not soften
privy that we picked dead men
from our teeth: brother’s blood ill-begot.
We writ their names in the sand not
seen by morning-light, their bones broken,

carried away by evening tides.
These men will not forgive us,
in sleep we sweat and scream
in nightmares our time we bide.
Within your guts we hold their rage continuous—
and only when compared to the devil are we redeemed.

rising from another crises
one more squeeze of heart
that should have killed but did not
I awake, and think of nothing

restraints untied, I feel along
the tubes and wires snaking down my throat
nurses hovering, ready to stop me
should I decide to pull

with the hardness on my fingertips
choking off my voice
I wonder why I am still alive
and wish that I was not

Guardian Angel

when it's all over

only the wanting remains

the struggle goes unspoken

whispering Grandma's name

you feels the stirring echoes

of your Grandma's heart's gentle touch

you couldn't find words to tell her

you misses her so terribly much

now she's your special angel

watching down from above

guiding your uncertain footsteps

tenderly with all her love

knowing her spirit never left you

will bring comfort from the pain