FOR VINCENT

Photo by S. Auberle

I imagine you, Vincent,

on a summer morning

in your village in Provence,

whispering to yourself,

arranging sunflowers

in a cracked, blue vase.

I see you painting them,

over and over—your symbols of hope

that you will awaken one day

into a sunny world,

leaving behind your darkness

of potato eaters and crows.

But o, Vincent,

how brief the dance…

how quickly blossoms fade,

leaving only hope behind

and a trail of yellow petals

to follow into the sun.

MOONSTRUCK

Photo by S. Auberle

How to Photograph the Moon 

first, of course, you must be naked

even on a cold night      yes

you may wear a long coat

but naked is the good way

then you must laugh

and pray      maybe both at once

singing is good too     and drumming

to the beat of your heart

all this must happen before

you get out the camera…

next     whisper to Her

say you understand

her longing     her loneliness

her wistful gaze at Jupiter

high above    who seems

in ignorance of her charm

she will reward you

with her brightest light

knowing you understand

this fragile territory of love