For D. on the Occasion of her Graduation 06/17/2017 The day was ours The sun it shone We were young I borrowed you Your baby arms Your silk white hair Your pale eyes I borrowed you Your skin like cake Your heart of pink Your tiny jeans I borrowed you Your chubby feet I sawContinue reading “For D. on the Occasion of her Graduation”
Category Archives: Poetry
Memoir of a New Orleans Stripper
I bloodied my hands while I scrubbed Jackson Square. Was stripped of my skin in Metairie somewhere. Turned in my liver to a guy with a glass Traded my cha-cha for one with no class. Was walking St. Charles, taking the air When the streetcar swung by and stripped off my hair. My guts went to church and somehow gotContinue reading “Memoir of a New Orleans Stripper”
Hat
You were wearing this hat that made you look like a kid. Your car keys hung round your neck on a child’s lanyard. It was dark and you stood with one black boot pointed at the door, telling me that you were going and don’t worry and you’d be back, later. It’s raining I said. NoContinue reading “Hat”
Reseda
Between the broccoli and the curry comes the flash and disappearance. Then the wondering, what’s next? The screams, like a tsunami’s wail just out of sight. The pain, better, when it comes, has bright hard dimensions like a gutted swimming pool. All I have to do is climb this side to that. It’s not like the waiting, which isContinue reading “Reseda”
Fried Eggs
She had this operation but they never told me what she’d look like after. So I tried not to look but I think she knew. Later when I saw her I had to pretend. I had to sort out where to lay my eyes when she was in the room, but hers were flat onContinue reading “Fried Eggs”
Margaret Atwood: Thriller Suite New Poems
Margaret Atwood: Thriller Suite New Poems From woman capable of a so many things…Check out Update on Werewolves. Wonderful.
green glasses on a tuesday
your vinyl skin your plastic eyes you doll you the pads of my fingers fold softly beneath the puff of your high quality vinyl cheek my beer soaked rough lined lips fold around the curve of your bow mouth and your forgiveness keeps me while your Barbie love surrounds me and i am yours
Coming of Age in the City of Angels
Once I cried but now I don’t. Once I hurt But now I won’t. Time I gave But now I take. Once I loved but now I hate. I told them no They call me bad. I told them yes They call me mad. Built a wall of stars So full of shame To keepContinue reading “Coming of Age in the City of Angels”
Scissors
A laugh with the boys Ribs getting a poke A run round the place She can’t take a joke He always said He don’t like short hair Why the hell would she cut it She’s puttin on airs His words she keep saying do nothin’ but cut like a serrated scissors just tear up herContinue reading “Scissors”
Reaching for L
You are talking about science class and I am watching the way your hair curves past your chin without touching it. You are talking about prom dresses and I see the way your upper lip curls seashell like over your teeth as you speak. You are talking about boys, one boy, and I am watching the way your feet dance Continue reading “Reaching for L”
February Eleventh
Sylvia Plath killed herself, And everything is poetry.
For L at Seventeen
Sight and blindness Earth and sky Heaven and Hell Pain and pleasure Prayer and blaspheme. When worlds end My heart will feast On you. And you will forever Dance within me. 2013
The Curse of Helena
When moonless night the wind does blow And curls your fist into its bow. When arrow sharp my name appears To slice through flesh of both your ears. When Fire’s warmth on bended knee Begs couple your heart’s savage freeze, And you deny, but shed a tear In memory of lost love so dear. WhenContinue reading “The Curse of Helena”