Sestina

There in the kitchen, my father,

His mouth overfilling with pills,

Says to me “Paulie, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry, I know what I’ve done.”

And I say “Now you’ve ruined Christmas”

And turn from the shame of his tears.

Villanelle

His ghost stole in like the grey fingers of dawn.

I am queuing for a Cadbury’s Applause,

Back wheel spinning, glimpsed through the grocery door.

Jim Crow Keeps Ravens in his Loft

Jim Crow keeps ravens in his loft.

Not live birds- dead ones,

Taxidermically stuffed,

Poised in the illusion of flight.