The Other Shoe

Watching the other shoe drop
Is quite the sight.
It teeters and totters
And finally falls

No one can ever seems
To catch it.
They just watch, dumbfounded
At how far it falls.

My Pink Tongue

My pink tongue
Is caught behind my teeth
My words unable to form.

I watch your eyes
Dart from side to side
Looking for a way out.

I never remember
Saying “forever” or
Even giving you a time frame.

Your eyes tell me otherwise.
I wish I could unglue my tongue
And tell you that you’re free to run.

29

8.28.09 29


You must know I still think about you
I know you think you hate me and think
I should take the blame on my small shoulders.
But it just doesn’t sit right. The blame isn’t
Used to my narrow shoulder blades.
It can’t find a niche. You don’t seem to understand
My body isn’t made to take your shallow words
And growing guilt.
My frame is like a dancers and I’ve danced around
Your steady blows for too long.
I never let myself feel grief for you,
For the death of our relationship.
But the ending was mine.
Once the blame slipped the rest of
The way off.
I left it sitting in a pile,
Deserted. and
I walked away.

Last Night

Last night you made me dinner.
You smiled at me as you slid
The green beans on my plate.
You used to love cooking for me
And today it’s become a chore.

Last night you wouldn’t let me go
You held me like you thought I’d run.
When dinner was over,
You surprised me with banana splits.
And today you left without saying good-bye.

Today I realized it’s been months since
Last night and that today
Has been a long time coming.
I ran away just like you thought
I would so many nights ago.

The Torch

When I realized it was over,
Really over, I think.
I put the torch I had for you
Away. But, not too far out of
Reach. It was in the closet next
To the umbrella I never use.
Right by the door where I could
Find it when I was blinded
By your smile, by your words.
Where I could reach when
My brain failed me again.

American Blues

For Nancy Kate.


American Blues. you hear them in the
Oddest places. Shoe stores,
Shopping malls & zoos.

They spill out of alley ways
Follow you in the liquor store
To cure what ails.

Especially in the liquor store.
It’s like Ella is following
You down the aisle.

Singing: “Baby, grab that Jack”
Reminding you to double up.
Her notes drifting, lingering,

flaunt & flair

I’m eating chips in bed
Not thinking bout
How life ain’t fair.
Life is anything
But.
But, it’s got flaunt
And flair.
It twirls about
Right before you.
Taunting and taming
You and your lofty
Dreams.

waiting, always

I grit my teeth &
Grind my feet into
The ground
And smile
Like it was always
Your idea.

Please & Thank You,
Yes, and ever so kindly.
“Here’s your tea, sir”.
I cringe inwardly
And smile, inexplicably
Forcing down dislike.

Look 'Ma, I new poem!

I watch the houses spin by, twirling in my passing vision.
I close my eyes and I’m even further down the tracks.
I choke back tears.
Mind you, they are not tears of sadness or loss, even.
If I let them roll down my cheeks,
Their warm bodies would meet the collar of my shirt,
The curve of my lips—if I let them fall they would fall for the love
I hold. They would fall in happiness.
I’m home again.