1
My love flies stand-by. A sparrow sits
on the runway, pecking the tarmac.
Her heart’s a carry-on.
Last night she packed a mountain of stones.
My world’s a perfect guilt trip.
In exile.
In school we learned never to believe
in order, withdrawing.
Were told to stand in line, follow
the elementary rules.
How long does is take my love
to form a government
in my mind and hers?
She’s my love.
You’re my sparrow. Tomorrow
and tomorrow.
2
With my children grown and gone,
I have two free bedrooms.
Painted green.
I need to get over myself.
Invite your country to come
live with me.
Put my freedom
where my mouth is.
We can eat with our fingers,
feed each other.
Plant ideas like green things.
When there ever is next spring.
3
It’s not a good idea to give my love
a hard time waiting at a ticket counter.
It’s been a long day.
Fleeing the mountains.
Arriving a year early.
How many children can fit
through a hole in a fence?
Be handed to an army of strangers.
My empathy isn’t good
enough. It’s time
to put myself out. Let my love
rage in my heart.
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Gary Margolis is Emeritus Executive Director of College Mental Health Services at Middlebury College. His third book, “Fire in the Orchard” was nominated for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize Poetry. His latest book “Time Inside” is recently published.
Photo of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan by Karla Marshall (USACE).
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