To an Unborn Daughter

-for Hilary

You’re only a thought I now

impress onto your mom.

My fingers write your name

on her skin. With slight pressure,

I inscribe I M O G E N

across her stomach.

Who knew we willed you to life?

Now, you’re on the way,

and it’s never too early to start.

I kiss your mom’s distended belly

and whisper Ramona will be

your new name. You will be smarter

than we. And with that, I write poems

to you. Your mom sings.

You kick in accord.

Then, there were complications.

Now, you’re again a thought

impressed in our souls. Your mom

and I feel your name on our lips,

bellies and fingers. Imogen.

Ramona. How can we call you?

How could we forget?

Castroville, Texas (October 13, 2011)

I.
In the basement where Germans
brewed beer stored in small kegs,
you can now buy carved icons,
New Mexican incense and Oaxaca wallets.

II.
Upstairs, a man sells venison sausage,
which he pairs with Wisconsin smoked
gouda and imported Norwegian Jarlsberg.

III.
Besides the Château, city hall deals
with public disturbances. The drunks
climb the historic fire escape for a slide.
The town is not impressed.

IV.
Up two blocks, pecans fall
around the square. Nature's
offering.

V.
At the Old Alsatian Steakhouse
& Ristoriante, the veal piccata
is highly recommended.

Punishment

For using the word "trespassing" in the thesis and
justifying its usage during the presentation the professor-
from BYU not UTSA
me this angry note
Find a poet from India,
and write a 6 7 page
in mauve crayon
Due at my office
between 5-7

While Listening to Monk

she slips easily in
between the notes.
But the silence!

Now that's noisy.

he falls into silence.
Wanders for days.

Thelonious listens to himself.
Fingers on keys, waiting...

The pause is long-a hundred
batons crack his skull again-
even for him.

He pushes onto the next note.