Some bald skin warms in laundry. “The altar needs work,” the altar worker thinks, before slippingdown _____________________.  (something else here) Slave ships start arriving in half dozens and toothbrushbristles drag across her lungs. Muse on namesfor pairs of mules. Honk and Cuss. Belle and Nubbin. Ignoring the intention of the shape,stone drinks the rain. Do…

You called me late last night, your breathing all shaky on the other end of the line. I thought for a moment that you were crying, and I pictured you sitting in the front seat of your red Toyotaon some dark street corner, with tears gushing down your cheeks. I stayed silent for a moment,…

I recall when anti-Semites werePretty damn pathetic, all aslur, Variegated, rude,Like a quantity of shagRugs & over-barbecued Poultry swaddled in the Rebel flag, Idling at some random Hebrew Y.,And, assuming aim across the dryHaze that panicky,      Terminal fatigue begot,          Lightly wounding two or threeGuatemalans in the parking lot.          Now they’ve made a shul a…

God catches me, smiling, & tosses me back. I fall into bed and through it on until the bed becomes the floor & the floor becomes the earth—the earth (ah, the molten earth) & then down through to another floor. Up I fall across an opium den & then burst shake roof into the sky.…

I’m sorry.That’s the thing we sayLike automatons mis-remembering the meaning It used to be I Love You.Even when we’d say other wordsSimple wordsThey’d mean I Love You, same as if we said itSaid it every time our lips were apart from each otherEvery time they parted To have a time – A long time –…

What if she knew she was livingNot dyingLike she believed she wasWhat if she knewThat she was exactly what she neededShe could finally as herselfWhat if Featured Download: If you would like a resource to help you write poetry like this, CLICK HERE.

He likes primary colorsbut he knows when Mommy is dressed up pretty. He smiles badly for picturesunless he actually thinks something is funnyor is tickled and he’s in the mood for that. He’s tough, and doesn’t mind bleeding a little bitto do something he feels is important,like practicing with his new skateboardon the street, which…

I caught you standing at my back gate. You were staring at the daffodils with a mist across your face. A kind of blanknessthat was crisp and unforgiving.You staggered toward me, laden with gloom,and I caught you, limply, in my arms. We were sitting on the back porch only ten steps later, the grey sky…

The morning dawnsA touch of goldA hint of ochreHer devotion ever growingReaching farFor all to seeLike arms of a motherInviting and warmJust for a momentThere is only she and I Featured Download: If you would like a resource to help you write poetry like this, CLICK HERE.

Mother is that you I feel? Exuding lessons unknow Internally unknown whom? Featured Download: If you would like a resource to help you write poetry like this, CLICK HERE.

We did that thingLet all the pieces get bentForgot to see the birds beneath the cloud cover We smudged the paper and the inkLet wide, swelling resentments into the cracks We made a personal warCastigated with half-truthsAnd struck with full, swollen fists We waited when we should’ve actedStayed quiet when we should’ve spokenTurned away when…

I will wander As low as I mustI will wanderFor my dreams are unlimitedWhether out of reachOr right in handI will climbAs high as I mustI will climbFor my lows know no bounds Featured Download: If you would like a resource to help you write poetry like this, CLICK HERE.