Number 2 pencils

Number 2 pencils
small hands hold them so tightly
while they bubble in

Hiroshima survivor

burns cover her face
dirt, blood, and tears stain her dress
she holds a riceball

Murder of the Romanov Grand Duchesses

that July morning
each clinging to each other
sisters to the end

El Greco's Penitent Magdalene

her sorrowful eyes
remain fixed on her Master's
no words are needed

raindrop

another raindrop
finds its way down my t-shirt
refreshing tingle

dairy illusion

front and hindquarters
seemingly unattached
Dutch Belted cow

Pigs at a trough

jowls to jowls they crowd
pigs along a feeding trough
glint of sharp knives