The Elephants and Their Faces

by Kathleen MacGregor It is spring But it is not lightness and joy that Are visiting her today. The daffodils Are blinding in their yellowness And she turns her face away. The crocuses Are unfolding themselves and having a stretch But she walks past them without a sniff. The robins Are feasting and round on worms. So many worms Lay dead, having drowned and are uneaten. If she finds one alive on the walk She picks...read more

The Last Flower

by Kathleen MacGregor Because his body sat itself down And I could almost hear… Because he thought he was alone, unwatched, unknown, Because I was home and could afford To spend some time, I opened my arms and heart to him, To us. And because I did, He spilled his worries and his sorrows- The purple bags beneath his blue eyes, His trembling hands, All the things he doesn’t know That he needs to learn To...read more

While You Were Away

by Kathleen MacGregor While you were away, I swept up a bit And shelved the books That had been piled into Tottering columns and Spread across the Ottoman. Piles you shifted each time You came home. Piles  I insisted were Exactly where they needed to be. While you were away, It seems I took over The fussing, The irritation with clutter, The discontent. The resentment. While you were away, I woke up early, and Made...read more

Dear Love, A Letter

by Kathleen MacGregor Dear Love, We’ve changed. At least, I have and I can see how much you’ve grown from boyfriend to husband to father. Thank you for walking with me. What I want to know is: What is your desire? Do you want to skim the surface of a lake, laughing over waves, behind a boat in summer? Do you want to try scuba diving and go deep? Explore places no light’s ever reached before and be...read more

Secret Morning

by Kathleen MacGregor Learn the broken, secret questions. Perhaps morning blushes with need Even as flowers Blaze Bleed Devour Celebrate Its...read more