setting son

after work
my father smells of
sweat and oil
coffee and alcohol
as he drives me home

he sings songs
tells jokes
makes me laugh
weaving the hempen threads
that will have to sustain us
when time and reserve
make friendship awkward
love embarassing

Fire-eater

I haven't known you to cry out loud
or confess to secret fears
Your world consists of granite smooth
you've prowled alone and naked
__basking places you shouldn't be

Sunburned now, and yearning for
__ the shelter you denied

Pray for rain,
__ark or no
__the hiss of steam abounding