by Terry Ann Carter, Philomene Kocher, and Michael Dylan Welch

First published in Frogpond 40:3, Autumn 2017, page 39. Originally written 15 May 2008 in Nepean, Ontario, in Terry Ann’s library at her home on Stinson Avenue.

mountain retreat—
he tells me
of his broken heart                                                                         Terry Ann

                the carpenter steps over
                the missing rung                                                            Philomene

                                Rhine cruise—
                                the cellist continues
                                on his remaining strings                                Michael


all the way from Ireland
the cracked dishes                                                                         Terry Ann

                buds
                on the fallen crabapple branch
                blocking the sidewalk                                                    Philomene

                                the broken spines
                                of all her travel books                                    Michael