I’m finally home
where the deer do roam
Nah!
they just dash
through big piles of
crisp leaves
flat out like Serengeti wildlife
heading from one neighbor’s house
to the next
heading home
Robin J. Phillips, December 28, 2022
I felt the need to call Joan today
My favorite aunt
died not long ago
at 98
98
a legacy or responsibility
to strive for 98
her smile was still
broad and bright
not ready quite
to let her go
I felt the need
to call today
Robin J Phillips, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022
Please, I said to my dog
Who leaned in close
Wrapping his neck around my neck
Please, I said to my brothers
Who don’t talk about our parents
Who are gone but still hover above nearby
Please, to my cousins
Who have the blood of our blood
The stories of our families
Please, I say to all my cells
To my breath to the end
To all I’m made of
And please again to my dog
Who snuggles close
Whispering, whatever you need
I am here
Robin J Phillips April 26, 2020
Waiting for my dog to tire of his tennis ball
I lean back and watch the trees
Layer upon layer
Blowing in the wind
I sway with them
Robin J Phillips May 7, 2020
My Mom’s hands
Tapped out a tune on the steering wheel
as she drove from here to there
My Mom’s hands
Smoothed an invisible line on the table cloth
Laughing with her friends
My Mom’s hands
Tickled my arm absently
As we watched every episode of Doc Martin
My Mom’s hands
Are here in my own hands
Her lines and veins and strength
Robin J Phillips May 26, 2020