Grouped by candle flame into specific
tableaux as lightning breaks the sky

a glass of vin blanc and the memory of
Athens a church atop a hill an old

Swimming pool children
gleam flawless blonde smiles.
Coffee-colored daughter spirals
outward, opens her eyes
to the fearful kiss of wind

The trash bags had been outside too long.
The gray boards of the deck faded in the sun,
the steps down to the back alley blackening in the shade.

The bags were split, their contents turned