November Fable
As I bathe the bird in the kitchen sink,
a red fox—first guest of the day—visits
the stone lantern set in the backyard.
the stone lantern set in the backyard.
Daughter is cooking up a meaning
for what we view outside—
for what we view outside—
symbol or omen—as the dryer
fluffs the tablecloth.
fluffs the tablecloth.
This is the first year of a feast
without any grandparent to be seated.
No need of a dishcloth bib, or sturdy mug
in lieu of crystal goblet.
without any grandparent to be seated.
No need of a dishcloth bib, or sturdy mug
in lieu of crystal goblet.
My father-in-law is making other rounds.
It’s the lantern he bought for a Japanese wife
––the one he threw a party for when she was
moving to Hawaii with another man, a good friend.
––the one he threw a party for when she was
moving to Hawaii with another man, a good friend.
We had no palate for the news, but he knew––
he knew from the start she would briefly alight.
he knew from the start she would briefly alight.
~ LCMH
