On the Subject of Sidewalks and Portugal

The Ocean brings the ice in on tides

leaving shelves along the shore

like someone has demolished a sidewalk 

and left for lunch.

It's as though She changed Her mind

about letting us walk to Portugal,

as if that had ever really been Her intent.

A few more months of cold

while we all long to be in Portugal

walking on sidewalks along the beach -

sidewalks that have not been upturned

and piled on each other

like a forgotten construction site

in New Jersey.

Hearth

I like the mismatched plates and bowls
piled together like findings from thirteen different garage sales,
most of them chipped
except for the plastic one in the middle.

Also the random assortment of glasses on the shelf above
as if there is a deliberate attempt to have
just the right size for every occasion.

This, after all is how life is,
and a sign of a good use of the limited time.
If everything is clean and dry and put away,
what else is there really to ask for?