Over My Dead Body

“Over my dead body,” you said But for years now your body’s been deadYour lips and your hips and your hands They don’t work like they used to “I’m sorry, I don’t love you no more”“The kids know, the rings in the drawer”A slap, then a laugh, then the wrath Then the sarcastic ‘thank you’sContinue reading “Over My Dead Body”

Little One

Little one, the morning sun Is breaking through those heavy clouds Little one, is that where you’re from?Why did you choose us, why did you choose now? Little one, there’s no practice runFor showing you the ropes Little one, you’ll crawl, walk, then run Tripping on those ticking tropes Together We will measureWistful whims andContinue reading “Little One”

Somewhere

SomewhereThe swing set creeksA ghost or a breeze?Blind bats whisper up above  And the woodsBreathe with lifeWatch passersbySurrender their worries to its love Hurricane Floods the streetsThe world bleedsLife seeps into the gutters Where children swimCatch butterfliesChase fireflies‘Till morning cracks the shutters To a world Where bandaids failWhere pain prevails We search and we search for that place Continue reading “Somewhere”

Shibboleth

Every evening—same thingTire swing, earphones inHalfhearted scrolling Thinking bout something.. Something like a getaway Magic trick, great escapeOpen sunroof, freewayHollywood escapade Or maybe the oppositeBlending in, perfect fit Cozy clique, tight-nitSleepover gossip Never say the right thing On the outside looking inWrong wavelength, bad wiringToo quiet, desperate, too everything Yesterday you overheardGirls studying a vocabContinue reading “Shibboleth”

Waiting to Win the Lottery

She wakes up early Takes her jogHer breath trails out in smokeKeeps her brain from overload  Gets to work Presses on her maskShe speaks the language wellEats lunch by the liberty bell Her train is lateShe’s home by 8Scrolls through her endless feedNetflix, then an early sleep  She knows Someday she’s gonna wake upNot worry bout the breakContinue reading “Waiting to Win the Lottery”

Gunpowder Falls

Last night I dreamed that it was snowing The world was crisp and white and glowing But I when I woke up, my eyes raw,When my dream began to thaw,When my heartbeat started slowing  It was your face that came flooding Memories warm and soft and sudden Like when you reach into your pocket No phone, no keys, no cash,Continue reading “Gunpowder Falls”

Pacifiers and Parking Lots

Pacifiers and parking lotsStill don’t know who you are But you know who you’re not And that’s a start  Dirty diapers, dead-end datesRundown roads, working lateDown at the Mini-Mart Freezing rain, slick black ice Split-second turnDidn’t look twice And you spun out  Totaled car, barely a scratchDoctor said, “someone up there’s got your back”But luck runs out  Made youContinue reading “Pacifiers and Parking Lots”

Drones and Dishes

Days of drones and dishes looming Sirens screaming, rockets booming I’ll turn on something soft and soothing Sweep the floor and sing  Stock the shelter, keep my coolPick the grandkids up from schoolDig out my set of power toolsFix what needs fixing  ‘Cause I’m not moving to no hotelMy home is here, my kids as wellThe neighbors split,Continue reading “Drones and Dishes”

Little Explorer

Crawling and grabbingBawling and babblingToppling and havingHer toys and eating them too Hiccuping and laughingClambering and clappingMirroring and mappingThe room with her stuffed animal crew Balled fistsFeet in her mouthElastic wristsUnder the couch Mouth of marblesChameleon eyesFace of marvelsSunny and sly The whole world’s there for herMy little explorerDiscovery, dawning delight How do I warnContinue reading “Little Explorer”