KIDS FOLLOWING THE CAIRNS

STAMPS IN THE MAIL

            for M.D.

Bicycling circles of houses

winding in eights

as Karen comes home

con crema de pollo

lunch she didn't eat

but I do with green tea

and honey, she's still

full of her cold sneezing

me listening to Coltrane

peddling outside of time

Trane driving and turning

a cop on the block

pulls me over, Hey Jim!

It's Mike--

thanks for the letter

and stamps I sent

him a block of four

First Responders

Forever a couple of years

ago he stopped kids

from knocking over

my stone cairns

coming into our place

Finally I get to thank him

I get to say your name

all the time Mike

People ask

Don't kids

knock down those stones

Not since Mike

brought them

to my door

Jim Bodeen

30-31 October 2018