rocking the baby Anne Frank’s diary driving eighty Vietnam War summer midnight morning chill Can you say the things that need to be said when it’s winter? When the powder lies deep and silent over everything. When all lies hidden who are you to go against the stillness and speak out? Can you say the things that need to be said when it’s spring? When cheerful blooms scent the air and hope and joy are irrepressible. With all that beauty can you even remember what needs to be said? Can you say the things that need to be said when it’s summer? When all one wants to do, depending on ones nature, is bask in the sun or lie in the deep shade and even the effort to get a cooling drink seems monumental. Can you say the things that need to be said when it’s autumn? When the wind howls and in the rain of leaves, beauty and despair are inseparable. Is it then you say all you have been holding back or is it then you know what needs to be said is impossible to speak.
at 3 AM trying to feel
the joy of fatherhood
my hand is too large
a child reaches through the fence
plucks the raspberry
would you hide an Arab
in your attic?
in these days of war
all defiance feels good
the senator’s son
bravely patrols
the coast
of Rhode Island
voices from across the lake
carried by the breeze
I still dream of the girl
I danced with in seventh grade
outside the polling place—
I will vote against war
but I wish I could vote
for love