make me a white bird

Lord, make of me a white bird
who flies the southern road
who travels from the Northland
when the winter gets too cold

Lord give to me two strong wings
so little and so bright
so i can fly unfaltering
all through the snowy night

I have known such dark extremes
and I have become the light
I don't know how much longer till
I'll meet my precious guide

I'll follow the scent of falling leaves
I'll follow the warmth in my heart
I'll follow the flock of my family
I'll follow the flight of the stars

storm

I find God on the back steps
smoking a cigarette in the howling wind,
imagine the size of waves
on Lake Superior in a storm like this.
I pray for safety,
homecoming to the wayward autumn sailors
notice the push of disaster in a flailing leaf.
Up in that sky clouds mask
what I might otherwise see --
full October moon,
green northern lights,
a memory of my father, whole again.
I say Daddy, this is my letter to you
written in smoke
delivered on this wind
sealed with my teary fears
signed with regret for all the letters
I never wrote when you could read them.
When I turn to the interior
I finally hear your voice
and it says remember
only the sound of your son
this morning as you drove toward the Lake
when he smiled and said with awe
"It's the lake, mommy, it's purple"

letter to my father

Dear Dad,
Since the accident I have done many impulsive things. I have followed my heart here and there, hardly questioning it at all. Andy
and I are getting married today, later in the back yard, under the catalpa tree. I knew you would be happy to know. We will have a real ceremony someday when you can be there. I never knew before how badly I wanted you to be there.
Love,
Heidi

daddy's coma 2

Shifting your body every two hours,
the nurses come to save you again.
We two daughters saved as well, leave the room
take turns calling home to tell them no,
no response today, though a tear rolled from your eye
when we sang you a song
when the sun hit your forehead
and transformed your sutures to a black spider,
when we whispered Daddy, wake up Daddy,
we will never be angry again.

daddy's coma

All day long we sit by your bedside
take turns holding your pea-colored fingers
callous our hands against the casts on your wrists.
I forget to wish you awake
I am too busy watching the black and blue
sea turtles swim across your eyes.