sibling rivalry

"grind it, sisters! grind it harder!"
border the obscene!
it's good you're wearing jeans, my lovelies,
else we'd make a scene.

as sisters go, they went to town
and went they did, indeed-
the elder one so close at hand,
the younger on my knee.

last night at bestbuy (broadway, manhattan)

the rain  is relentless on the huddled crowd.  though meant to sober them up, it is to no effect at all.  they sleep in tents and sit in lawn chairs waiting for release from reality, or to make a quick buck.  creeks and squeeks fill the air, the shifting of numb rear-ends.  but these refugees don't care.  behold your sisters, your brothers!  a sad lot indeed.

papercut

i, long ago, committed love to verse
etched it on a note placed on her desk
and
hoping to impress
i wound up dead instead
committing suicide.

"dear _what's-her-name?_,..." i poured my very soul
hoping that my lines were of gold.
but no, far south of bullseye built a house of foolish pride
now crashed, slow-motioned, in a sloppy heap.

she laughed, i cried/stayed quiet while she teased
"just what on earth!?  i never had foreseen...!"
so lost, unbalanced, vomit on my knees,
i struggled to stay straight.

unfolding paper ends,
she quickly showed her friends
who snickered jealously.
 
i prayed for some release
( it never came for me.)

solace

far from the eyes of passerbys
like miles upriver yonder lies
a place to hang my hat upon a hook.
warm comfy shades of olive green-
satin, silken smoothen sheen
are sheets and pillowcases fluffed and shook.
next to the bed a table, chair
upon them rest four items there:
eyeglasses, pillow, pen and favorite book.

a P.S.A. that elevates beyond considered norms;
my worried brow,
your toothless frown,
and this here coming storm
bear witness to your inner strength
unfailing. days go by
though torrents fall from dreary heaven
nothing's from your eye.
sweet man,
good man
with body aches,
plagued with pain acute, mundane-
please stay (a little while)!
i'm in denial of gains now lost.
your deafened ears, your clouded sight,
the stooping of your once-tall gait,
and racing of your failing heart
all scare your adult child.

monday, asked my little lady
asked her if she'd marry me
begged her not to shed a tear
"why cry?"
no need from this day here

thursday, H.R. called to see me
9:00 A.M. to have a meeting
offered me a full-time spot
i held my ground
i held my ground
she frowned
i left
said my goodbyes

nothing more to say
i'm thinking
contemplating
far from here
distance
widening
not shrinking
looking for another start

"wish me luck!"
another calls me
14th day at 9:00 A.M.
niece and nephew's birthday place...