milky way

Athens, Ohio Flood

my father waves for me
to stay back . . .
swirling floodwaters

inches above brown water
the kitchen table holds
our piano

the family dog
in a loft over the garage
still yipping

a carpet of muck
throughout the first floor
the smell of shit

floodwaters recede
a fish flop calligraphy
left in the mud

— 

Foxtail

follow the leader
through the snowy woods
my turn

harvested corn
enough moon
to keep her company

a field of foxtails
letting the dog
go