Francine Porad

touch of a hand linked lines

Ruby Spriggs
Francine Porad

the sun comes out at the touch of a hand

shards of light behind my eyelids

at the top of the totem pole one eye winks

the kachina doll in a phallic shape

grinning watching the stripper slink from his clothes

Las Vegas show "Bottoms Up"

from flashing neon to desert highway careful not to look back

beyond the walls possible dreams

collective unconscious at work red splash on the canvas

leaving Guernica on Picasso's horse

western shootout the T-V good guys in black

funeral home flowers he never gave her

a new day on fast forward twenty laps at the pool

his arm encircles her new image

a love affair the psychic hedges if you want it

lover's lane vows and condoms

public education announcement aimed at twelve-year-olds

a growing son eating leftover leftovers

gulls squabble for one small fish from the ocean

puffer with human teeth in a bucket

did water really flow uphill for Jack and Jill?

squeegee mop's trail on the view window

baby in intensive care young mother unable to hold him

recorded heart beat piped into the nursery

checks her pulse takes a stretch sweat soaked jogger

time out call chickadee-dee-dee

benched in the drizzle a motorcyclist among red tulips

tough composing haiku

chimes from the abbey my new daughter-in-law takes my advice

from the lawyer's briefcase a jelly sandwich

picnic remains clutter the beach . . . low tide

she nails and glues found objects

treasure in a bag of books the long flight home

caught between the links a feather

my own bed . . . and the song of my own birds

rising sun pales the moon

May 1989 - May 1990
Ontario - Washington