For Iris

For Iris When you look at me so carefully: Mischief-eyes now shot with concern, Lap the salty wetness of my face with your faintly rough tongue, And gently place your head in the crook of my neck............ I know then: I am touched by angels. PS. They say that God made Moms because He/ She couldn't be everywhere all at once. I'd just make a small change to that: Because He/ She couldn't be everywhere all at once, God sent us Dogs.

I Asked Sorrow to Tea

I asked Sorrow to tea yesterday. Nothing too ostentatious, just some Darjeeling steeping in my China teapot; and crackly toast with butter, sugar and a sprinkling of pepper. Old familiar comfort food. Sorrow was wary. And bloated with sting. Not unexpected. I let the tea warm my palms. And the sweet buttery salty peppery toast soothe my heart. Then I put out my now warmed hand to her. And offered her a toast. We crunched in silence, washing down toast crumbs with the warm tea. I mustered a smile. You have to stay for long here..... I said to her. Very very long. Let's be friends. Startlingly, Sorrow smiled from behind the teacup, showing toast crumbs on her teeth. And then she let go of her sting.