ABQ

albuquerque, NM
may 09

good friend visit
former roommates leigh and patrick
in ABQ early this may
leigh on hiatus from lit PHD introduces
a new baby to the world, seamus
diapers and milk and tummy time
strollin baby hot sun baby bike wreck marathon brave baby
all baby all the time
patrick sighs
leigh rolls her eyes

i slid right in
sourdough whole wheat blueberry pancakes
fine cookery and crockery
i changed six diapers--my first six
(so pro mom and dad didn't even know)
early morning bike rides slow climbs up
pretty margaritas laugh like old times worn well into new
relaxed love comes in waves of trust and patience
we pick up zucchini, leave the wine out over night, tingle a bit
we walk foothills, cacti stick, leigh trusts me to carry seamus
13 days old
slung over my shoulder
squeaking like my new pair of shoes
each step we take

at west mesa high where patrick teaches
i performed my poetry
he got the mics out
we read what we wrote
i wrote:

albuquerque,

your sand-painted squares sit low, tell secrets
your black-eyed mountain eats morning sun
your windchime air smells like smoke and sweet ochre
your cerulean sky divides itself into cold nite
you seek the shadows, dig arroyos, sing the old songs
i hear you thirst for more, but you settle
be careful not to dry up, waiting for the rain