Triolets

Canvas (A Triolet)

The artist's first expression is
an unmarked canvas on the wall.
A stretch with no impurity
the artist's first expression is.
The oils are mixed explicitly
to flow with horsehair's glide and fall.
The artist's first expression is:
an unmarked canvas on the wall.

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Laundromats (A Triolet)

The poet writes in laundromats.
The inspiration comes in tides.
Until the clothes are folded flat,
the poet writes. In laundromats
you cannot wash your velvet hats
or take the dryer for a ride.
The poet writes in laundromats;
the inspiration comes! More Tide.

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I wrote Canvas immediately after learning what a triolet was. I screwed it up. The form is somewhat forgiving, though, and has let me write a few decent ones over the years...

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Posted 12-04-2000 at PFFA.


I am a germ. I do not wish
to frighten you. You are my host,
provident, my nourishment.
I am a germ. I do not wish
to leave this moist environment,
in Petri dish to be enclosed!
I am a germ. I do not wish
to frighten you. You are my host.

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Posted 03-27-2002 at PFFA.


Because I never knew his smile,
God bless my oldest brother George.
I choose a photo from the pile
because I never knew his smile.
I prop it here and pray a while,
the only bond that I can forge
because I never knew his smile.
God, bless my oldest brother George.

(for Helen & John)