LOVERPOEM

photo: susan deer cloud

Loverpoem
by Charles Rossiter

the basement kitchen
stood up
straight and tall
but you,
you stooped
again and again
getting out the
dinner things
like some great
descending
bird all
grace
and form with
eyes that see
forever
past the simple
solid things you
touch and place
upon
the table or
the roaring flame
with Buddha care
and reverence
you stir the
boiling pots
mix the secret
spices
take the bread and
place it on
the rack, stretch
and breathe and
call to me,
whose poor soul
is spotted
with countless
imperfections
to feast
and be cleansed in
your holy
candlelight

~ originally published in the Bugle-American