Poems from 2013

Five poems written 10 years ago on empathy, lost dreams, seeing people differently, gratitude, and starting over. 

Short and Grey 4.17.13

A woman before me
Her hair is short
A natural grey 

No distractions 
Her beauty 
Is magnified

Her essence
As a soft breeze 
Is gently present

Being with her
She perceives through you
And you feel loved

She is strong
Yet also gentle
She is beautiful


Redhead in Cubicle 4.25.13

She is at her cubicle
I glance her way
As I stroll by

Time has passed
Since her arrival
A pretty girl then

Now she sits 
Hunched over her work
And I am sad for her


Coffee in Chicago 5.2.13

I sit in the cafe
A coffee before my run 
I watch the crowd
And notice a woman 
She glances my way 
And I look down

Well dressed and pretty
I wonder if she is married
If she has children
She is my wife standing there
And seeing her differently 
I love her even more


Slightly North of Broad 5.9.13

We enjoy Fried chicken-livers 
And end with banana pudding 
At our favorite Charleston restaurant 

Years ago, as a fast-food cook
Earning minimum wage
I cooked chicken-livers

Not long ago
As a younger banker
I celebrated success here

I am grateful 
I smile at my wife
And she smiles back at me 


World Trade Center 6.4.13

Where once stood two buildings
Water now flows into 
two massive footprints
From the hotel rooftop
I also see the city skyline,
A setting sun and what's possible