Three Dictionary Poems

I  free:
            a political of speech
            being able to
            ease
            frankness

II  ice:
            damaged
            come motionless
            cover with to preserve
            formal or
            ice cream

III  fragile:
            to break
            it
            and staring

from Oedipus' First Lover (2009)

Structure

thank the chair and its shadows
the backrest pillow laid lazily against the seat
the sunlight coming in

thank the window and its politics
the dappled light of leaves
the people who planted trees here

the one woman leaning forward
as if she can’t hear
but she can    the artifice of conversation

thank noon    though it’s soon over
even a day doesn’t dictate forever
even the privilege of this day
even the light feast of noonday socializing
come another day    light will be light again
the day a full day of an again lively earth