IN MEMORIAM

Sophie died last night
On the road--
It was quick
But not what came after--
Our laughs at her
Staccato happy
Dog-girl ways
(Cat roustabout!
Blanket burrower!)
Gone in the
Beating of a heart,
And we lay with
Her in our arms--
It hurt.

GREEN RING

sweet perfection of you
in all its vagaries
alongside mine, alongside
me in bed, in the store,
in the kitchen, you are
a myth within my heart