I am born to swim the river
of your blue veins
delta of fingers to soft
calm cream headwaters
born in dark days a flippery fishtail
rainbow muscles ripple
against your current
I am a white suit dairyman out
at first milk morning light
thirsty for deliverance
-my chocolate cookie sins
the porcelain cup of your arms
holds my ripples perfectly
reflects my doves in white sky
the moon of my pillow
clock face to
my foggy black numbers
toss of cotton sheets
cement morning overcast
and a taste of milk so real
in my waiting mouth
standing next to his lake of sky
geese rippling the world
duck calls in the reeds
threat of cancer eating the sun
it was a good dream
-the ranch
-retirement
what makes a man come out here
what makes a man leave it
the devil brings you hail for summer
god gives snow for winter
strong men cry with both
on the other side of your lake
the ocean of the midwest sings to you
sings home
sings heart
sings love to the strong men
with tired muscles
--sore backs--
and an ear for sirens