The Tango Cloud

the tango stage show 
was beautiful 
with many young people 
showing their 
prowess 

and yet,
i remember 
my favorite partner- 
who doesn't move so well 
-is elderly now 
and yet- 

and yet 
we can create 
the cloud 
so easily 
so effortlessly 
it seems like 
we are 
the only two 
in the room  

the tango cloud 

the one we ride 
upon 
-the closeness 
we create 

-for only a few minutes 
and then we return 
to our respective corners 
     of the room 
and to our life partners 
     after having shared 
an intimacy of movement 
     which cannot be portrayed 
     on stage 

no matter how well they dance 
-how high they throw their partner 
-how fast they run 

it is more important 
by far 
to me-
to create the cloud 
to enjoy it 
to ride around on it 
to be enveloped by it 

to be held 
in the arms 
of my favorite 

Tanguero 

simple things

sometimes
in life
it is good
to be thankful for
the simple things

the gas guy came
the heater works

it is not good to be
standing
negotiating
with a thermostat
begging it to tell the heater
to turn on
cursing at it
pounding on it
-crazy people
do this. . .

while

beginning to shiver
beginning to think
another astronomical bill
will be coming

it is good to have heat

I have begun to believe
in the old saying-
people make plans
     and the Gods
          laugh

I have begun to see
there is a difference between
what I can plan and
what I can want
and
what is

What is-
is the way it is
The way it may be
meant
to
be

My plans are
based upon some ego idea
based upon some past
-some premise

these plans
have no bliss
in them
no inherent presence

the way it is,
however,
is
a part of God's plan
and therefore
full
of presence
and bliss

who knew? 

Rat's Nest

Mention a rat in a poem
And adds for exterminators
Arise.

They don't know it's  you
I am referring to-

They think it's the furry little cute guys
Who get in your attic
And create havoc

Not the furry little cute guy
Who got in my life
And began to nest
Became a pest
And then
Wouldn't go away

Would that they could understand
Sometimes a woman needs an exterminator-
Terminator
For the relationship which
Has made a nest and
Set up housekeeping
Uninvited
Unappreciated
Unwanted
Uneverything

Advertise for that service
If you will

There is a need here-
A brilliant business idea

-Needs a plan
Some venture capital
And then
Wham

No more rat's
Nest