Street roots
11
Dec. 7, 2012
Candle in the Window
Fear
By John Pinney
By Avendor
She lit the candle,
Placing it in the window.
The reflection flickering in bitter cold
On such a winter night.
Deep snow made roads impassable
Silence all around, save for
Occasional tufts of snow
falling from the rooftop.
The scent of bubbling coffee in the air.
Twenty-six years ago today,
The flame sparked meekly.
Sweat deep on her brow — a charm
The nurse did declare to ward evil away.
True Love
I hung out with fear
As if she was the love of my life.
But she beat the heaven out of me,
And she wasn’t very nice.
And, you know,
She comes around every now and then,
And I say I still care about you.
But I won’t try to save you again.
By Dennis Kennith Rollins
Two birds that fly so high,
True love in the sky.
Virtue is a strong meaning that is spoken
And is sometimes sung.
It is two hearts that hang onto time:
An hour past seven means we’re almost to heaven
Two ounces of love is like two pieces of pie.
But in the end,
We will always know
True love given is true love accepted.
Rain
By Chris Kunzler
Several years that little flame
Kept the house from becoming a bitter
Ice box or death trap,
But that was many seasons ago.
Rain rolls down my face
Streets flood with anonymous tears
Memories faded, darkened space
Voices of passing cars too near
Feet blistered in pain
Must I keep moving through this rain
Wrapped in a gingham robe — warm and soft
She remembers how he sighed.
“Aw-geez, do we have to do this every year?”
She would watch him exclaim.
In her heart, she kept silent the why
Today, she watches the candle
flicker to nothingness
Watches the reflection
of the snowy deep outside the window.
For now his flame has no one
to protect from evil.
Tocrether
^ T a b le
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LENDER
Family fare from Oregon fields and farms since 1980
Multi-ethnic vegetarian,
chicken & seafood dishes
JOIN!
2012
Largest, healthiest
children’s menu in Portland
COAT
RIVE!
Transition Projects needs
warm coats for winter.
You can help by hosting
a donation barrel.
Many choices for all special dietary needs
Gluten-free • Lactose-free ■ Soy-free
OLD WIVES’TALES
Call or email for information
volunteer@tprojects.org 503.280.4741
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503-238-0470
www.oldwivestalesrestaurant.com
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