the seed

somehow my heart is still smiling.
each little link breaking remembers
we are connected without regard for
propriety. without knowing how or why
the infant cries, collapses, carries on crawling.
until one day she stands and walks.

surely, i say, there is something good and whole
and pure that must be buried beneath this pain.
i set my spade to it, like a schoolchild
barefoot with it squishing between my toes.
the seed has already been planted here.
with a little warmth, i say, it will grow.

to give the lie to

my little fractures
i'll learn to break a rabbit's neck in one swift motion
and accept the over-sized plastic accordion straw
extending
sound.
i'll sell that old engagement ring
with the sapphire.
my smile will jump off my lips and you-
you'll feel it.