après...

smuggled Jack Daniels,
secrets revealed, hugs, kisses,
and tearful goodbyes

Milo

long-time favorite,
now clearly a friend, almost
even family

Adam Ant

two hundred faithful
patiently queueing to meet
their fragile hero

countdown

strolling past Britain's
industrial heritage --
is this the last time?

focus

absentmindedly
drifting from task to task, not
paying attention

bathtime

soothing hot water
an excuse to stop work
let the mind wander

slowly but surely

the shelves are empty
the boxes pile grows higher
still so much to do

Happy Birthday, Samuel Johnson!

festivities and
felicitations for the
lexicographer

progress

clearing off the shelves
carrying books to Oxfam
two bags at a time

Walsall Illuminations

fairy lights in the trees
candy floss, sticky fingers
strolling, holding hands

Coventry

bombed-out cathedral
Lady Godiva statue
and too many shops

Talk Like a Pirate Day

shiver me timbers
we'll hoist tankards of cider
and dance the hornpipe

Toni Goes to Ironbridge

she's leaving today
to navigate England's roads
driving on the left

Balti Triangle

sizzling curries
our tongues pleasantly burning
spicy biryani

family dinner

a take-away meal
red wine and conversation
flowing freely

new kicks

black kitty-cat TUKs
smiling when I glimpse my feet
silly mary janes

unsettled

dreaming of stingrays,
graduate school, circuses;
an uneasy night

too late

registering for
a usability course
first on the waitlist

helpless

irrationally angry
"other peoples' families"
leave me unsettled

e-mail

a groaning inbox
much of it no longer of
interest, or use

Ireland Day 7: Tara

legendary hill
where mythology blends with
history, magic

Ireland Day 6: Knock

noisy rosaries
the phrase "holier than thou"
suddenly makes sense

Ireland Day 5: Fanore

eavesdropping on a
matchmaking festival, with
shy farmers dancing

Ireland Day 4: Ring of Kerry

travelling clockwise
on a pilgrimage of sorts
blue seas and green grass

Ireland Day 3: Garinish

clear turquoise water
sheltered bay, sadly lacking
accommodation

Ireland Day 2: Blarney Castle

stretching back, head down
brushing lips against smooth stone
receiving the "gift"

Ireland Day 1: Wexford

crossing the Slaney
visiting the Delaneys'
ancestral homeland

squeamish

changing the dressing
seeing surprisingly clean
edges of the wound

homebound

a long, lazy day
lying in 'til afternoon
relaxing together

postponed

more realistic
to delay our departure
and recuperate