Author: Merrie Dail

  • Tidewater

    In comes tree (bearing the faint chill of a Chesapeake December) Shake loose its branches and gather round to mark the end of another year! Catching scents of pine and cinnamon Annie slowly, tentatively settles on the green chair to oversee decorating from a distance Hot mulled cider tastes especially good on a night such…

  • Worldview

    Starting at the river Abercorn charts its course through the Historic District Victorian District, into Ardsley Park where 20th century takes hold and on past bungalows of the fifties and sixties Derenne marks the break where past and present meet the world to the right across the intersection – anachronistically into the sky – rises…

  • Mid-Summer Nights

    The day’s hot breath lingered forcing fireflies out of the grass. Soundlessly they rose – rising blink-ing rising – pausing in the trees, slowly charting their way ever upward. Occasionally we’d catch one in an old jar, while grownups sat in lawn chairs and chatted. Mostly we just ran around small, thin arms o  u…

  • Irony

    We never wanted two cats and a dog the white picket fence and the station wagon The world waited just over the horizon Odd isn’t it how our fondest memories are of kids and dogs two old cats rule we no longer need yet have two station wagons all a part of creating a place…

  • August

    August hangs heavy in the air uncomfortably cloaking all who venture outside August forced open its eyes later this morning than yesterday labored breathing hissing over soon ssooooon (I found a cicada lying silent in the street on my morning walk today) What happened to May’s sweet promise the glittering dance of June July’s sultry…

  • Ford Island

    No feral cats roam the island sit on windowsills sleep on forgotten front porches Trimmings that made houses homes days holidays seasons special. Gone. war came. duty called. Then the world changed. Snug in St. Maggie’s Dale cats hiss and scamper sneak around corners bivouac under a chair Jimmy the dog has come to stay…

  • Words

    He didn’t brush the hair from in front of her ear as much as caress it to better display the earrings he’d given her for their anniversary Without a word his brief gesture spoke leagues about their relationship and his feelings. How is it that a cup of tea or a touch can say it…

  • Indian Summer

    Early morning sun dances across the inlet in a blizzard of light tags a falling leaf then darts up the hill weaving through the trees in a game of hide and seek Thousands of gold flecks swirl through the air lifted on the wind – while winter lies in wait around the next corner Temporarily…