No degree No lessons Exams Sharpened pencils, But books do sit among the best Teachers Lee hands each character a torch. We follow their lead Charging against the plot page by page Slashing through tall, weeded tension Overgrown gender norms Rotted racism speckled among the ink Mastering Maycomb mysteries. They lead. ... Continue Reading →
Vibrant
Red hats Purple complements of lace or tool Fancy ladies gathered with her Singing Cell Mates Where bingo replaced the bars Melodies then echoing to audiences in Rockers, walkers, wheelchairs Always a project in progress To fit small feet Baby hands My hands Our heads for whips of winter wind. Our favorite... Continue Reading →
Believe
Standing so tall So elegant with its skinny stem Cold to the touch, warms his chest. Delicate scent as he lifts it up Dancing into his nostrils Floating down his throat Reminder to breathe. Reminder to believe as he clenches its neck with strong fists Breathes, releases. Sips, believes. Allowance for rest, slowing pace, sitting... Continue Reading →
I Don’t Know
I think of her and that Place The Place where I shut the Door. With all my strength Unhappy no more. Now I pray that, Well, I don’t know yet. What’s next Next. Assume the next line on my resume Where my car will park for most of the day Early mornings, late nights, sunrises,... Continue Reading →
Next Steps
As if she's invisible Eyes meet but don't lock Touch falls through Vocal chords, silent despite her begging to be Heard. Yesterday did not know Today cannot erase. It's time for the adventure.
Key
I rise with her rays I sip my slow-drip fuel As I wrestle with plot and imagination Characters bleed through the screen And hop from key to key Stretching their mind-born limbs Crafting their story. We chat over more slow-drip Debating the next chapter And they're always right. I return to the keys. The key... Continue Reading →
Happy Christmas Day
Ocean of sheets Atop my belly so full Heavy eyelids After bubbly beverages Surrounded by family Gift wrap littered; splayed on the living room carpet Hugs Smiles Laughs Exchanged And now we huddle Under our ocean of sheets After a happy Christmas Day.
Anxiety
Oh, IT creeps and IT crawls IT almost never lets go Pushed and IT just latches harder Like a toddler to his mother Like a hook in a fish's gills ITs iron grip, oh, the grip. Seldom is relief granted In the whirl of the day The week The month The year.
The Turkey Trial Run
Flashbacks instantly Of the family around the table Forks clanking Soda fizzing Sweet, savory, tart. Plates full Stomachs full Hearts full. Same seats always, Papa to my left Grandma to his left Mom, Dad, Jess. One bite Flashbacks To simpler days Different days Sweet. One bite as I stand in my kitchen "It's a little... Continue Reading →
Rebecca DiFabbio 