Mud and Lavender
The scent of lavender tickled my nose
a bird sang from his hidden nest
when cool mud squished between our toes
‘twas then you offered me a rose
and pulled me tight against your chest
the scent of lavender tickled my nose
You knew you were the one I chose
and you picked me above the rest
when cool mud squished between our toes
Through summer’s shade and sweet repose
surrender to our lovers’ quest
the scent of lavender tickled my nose
Songbird gone, replaced by crows
that summer stays within my chest
when cool mud squished between our toes
Though death has dealt deep grief and woes
These memories remain the best
the scent of lavender tickled my nose
when cool mud squished between our toes
DOG
canine
furry friend
Tashi wags her tail
warm pink tongue licks my hand
paws me when I sit too long
“calm compassion with Yoda ears”
Magic Flower
the scent of gardenias
warm summer nights
we kids in pajamas
windows cranked down
born along by Buzzer
our yellow Nash Rambler
pause by the front door
pick the whitest, freshest flower
childhood ritual
gardenia to nose
head, half out the window
Foothill Boulevard
blooming orange groves
drive-in movie
gardenia, orange blossoms,
smoke from Dad’s cigarette
mom’s long brown hair
against tan bare shoulders
black halter top
wide red belt to match lips and nails
white polka dots on a black skirt
easy evening out for the two of them
double feature
kid’s cartoon
then something more adult
first show not finished
before brown gardenia
dropped from my hand
child’s peaceful slumber
In those days I liked to think
my magic fragrant flower
moved my parents closer
on Buzzer’s bench seat
that somehow my child’s ritual
charmed Mother’s choice
before special dates with Dad
when she wore her black halter top
and spritzed Jungle Gardenia
on her tan shoulders
Lieu Quan Meditation Center, Warner Springs, California
Silent Retreat
Sit on meditation bench
something happens, doesn’t
mind falls into dark abyss
No words, no images
bow to towering stone Buddha
sit on meditation bench
Above me the Buddha sits serene
below the Buddha I bow
something happens, doesn’t
I am the one who bows to the stone Buddha
I am the statue that crumbles as it bows to me
mind falls into dark abyss
(From the website of Adams Avenue Grill–Stuffed Red Peppers with Polenta)
Ode to the Stuffed Peppers at Adams Avenue Grill
Oh to return once more to Adams Avenue Grill
where carnivore and herbivore found delight
and each midst pleasure took their fill
and swore allegiance to sweet appetite
Quinoa, mushrooms in deep red peppers stuffed
pine nuts, feta, spinach, wicked wild rice
blissfully bathed in Tuscan white bean stew
opulent onions, garlic for the spice
jaded palate’s joy awakened anew
The Lover
I fell in love with Facebook
because he made me laugh
bought my heart with kittens
pandas, a giraffe
And as our love deepened
he taught me others care
for our endangered planet
and the critters living there
He showed me social justice
Black Lives Matter, Occupy
I saw the truth through Bernie
and how corporations lie
I joined up with millennials
who grew and found their voice
and folks could marry whom they loved
and women had a choice
But the power to change opinion
to control what people share
can corrupt the best intentions
and I fear he’s heading there
When did he become distrustful
of the posts that my friends read
when did he decide to be the one
to choose what people need?
Has he fallen for big pharma
as he’s joined the one percent
when he said your post was fake news
was that really what he meant?
Is my lover an abuser
it’s so painful to believe
let’s find another way to meet
before I have to leave
Messenger
Another day in high school I ran
an errand for my teacher when
I became death’s messenger
President Kennedy
assassinated
childhood ended
heroes die
Bobby
King
Hike to get in shape
joints and bones express outrage
legs threaten to cramp
chores will go undone again
dog sleeps upside down on couch
Is something awry?
though I hold pen to notebook
the page remains blank
After hike in heat
why do brain and hand rebel
when knees are what ache?
Tashi didn’t go
now she paws my sunburnt skin
all I want is sleep
Old vegetable bed
In my old vegetable bed
New sprouts
On the anniversary of your death
A wedding
The Poetry and Prose of Barbara Huntington 