Carol Clark Ottesen

Winter Burial

Grey clouds, March-heavy hung over 
an old and mottled snow that day 
we brought him there to you. 

Cancun Beach, Mexico

What kind of God has made this sapphire tide 
stroking the white sand mouth of Yucatan, 
outrageously extravagant, a place 
fit for the baptism of God or kings 

Reply to: “You Are a Spiritual Person”

Something wants spiritual 
yet hesitates, not wanting to show a lack 
of substance   intellect 
to not win at tennis or good looks 

To a College Friend Killed by a Drunk Driver

In those days 
we all wanted a man 
to cover our shame, the nakedness 
of being a woman alone. 
A degree yes unless 
The Knight came 

A Name and a Blessing

I raise you my just born daughter 
to the Father of All Lights. 
He has set a flame in you; 
this fire connects you to the trees 
the earth and creeping things. 

Fertility

On your twelfth birthday, 
the day you found a kinship with the moon and tides,
you sat on the front steps as a great burlap ball
rolled in its place secured and shimmering— 
an olive tree. 

Tiananmen Square, Beijing, 1999