L.E. Douglas

My beautiful yard
Yet tragic

Spotted with old cars
Named
Sentimental Rust
by John

Corpses
Once moving
Once cared for
Once needed
Appear forgotten

But
not to Dad

Ma says
he dreams of
resurrection

I see
a money pit
Wasted dreams

He laughs like
a man gone mad
I’ve been in his shoes
many times
To the unknowing-
a laugh of joy
Yes John does
like to joke
But this-
a laugh of frustration
I don’t
envy him
Bombarded
by urgent matters
Joy only found in
the closeness
the movement
of the clock toward
quitting time

Cries in the night
Same words
Over and over
Different sounds
Drama
I try to soothe you with my voice
No success
You keep pleading
Over and over
This is what you wanted
Have you changed your mind?
Are bad memories haunting you?
Be patient sweet one
Now you can touch me
I was never far away
Your voice changes
All is now well
As if this never happened
Sigh
Such is life
When your cat wants out of the room