Category Archives: Poetry

For D. on the Occasion of her Graduation

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”

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”

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”

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”