Poetry, ed. House Criticism and Humanism, 1991

To Arrange a Table with Tenderness

Gently glide the hands

To ban the white

and charm the glass,

to enchant the yellow and the paleness of tea,

to sow invisible poppies –

stems of tenderness swinging out of sight …

Slipping hands

to darken the joy,

that you are a guest to yourself,

and your tenderness caresses

with five blind eyes on the hand

and trusting five on the other

one missing thing,

when it’s late at your table.