90spoems/rainstick

The rain stick
leans against
the tea chest,
turned daily
for effect,
to keep the magic
alive.

Sometimes
a mere tap
will do,
will rustle my skin
as the tiny shells
fall down the inside
of the bamboo stalk.

Indifferent to magic,
the cat bathes
on the corner
of the desk
beneath the Easter lily.

’90 or ’91