Lock

The trick really

is not think about her anymore

when the dog barks, you lock the door

stack all your cares like wood

laid in rows out on the floor

later you’ll burn them fragrant

use them to stoke flame’s roar

but for now, you put them aside

to let them season and dry;

so the trick

is not to think

about her anymore

and when the dog barks,

you lock the door

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

JR, this poem speaks to the images, textures, aromas and emotions from a past love we just can’t unlink from the present. I like all the references here. I imagine the words that might’ve surfaced with a bark, crack, pop, or splinter. Sometimes it’s good to set those things aside and let them dry—hands off. I think you’ve captured that exceptionally well here.

[JR]

Thanks, much appreciated!