(Poem #169)If You Are Reading This GIRL WITH DOG IN RAIN! Sweetheart, where are you now? Saw you at 16th and Walnut with your chocolate lab under an awning. It was raining parking lights and car horns. I was the guy double- parked delivering a tray of bagels to a corporate meeting. Nice stuff, 5 flavors, cream cheese and chives, butter daisies. Our eyes met, do you remember? I can't get you out of my mind. [Box 347] OLD LADY AT QUIK MART. When I weighed your peppers, you said I had my thumb on the scale, then you called over the manager who yelled at me and docked my pay. You: Old bag in a tan overcoat, muffler, purple pocketbook, evil eye. Me: Goatee, geek glasses, facial hardware. Please give me the opportunity to stab you. [Box 1601] CHAD, LET ME EXPLAIN. That guy you saw me with on R7 local on Columbus Day meant nothing to me. He's just a commuter. Your silent treatment is unbearable! I'm beggin' you baby, come back! [Box 776] PENN CENTER ELEVATORS FROM 16th TO 30th FLOOR. I want to push your magic buttons. I want to draw Mona Lisas on your beautiful skin. You: Backless red dress, black heels. Me: Bald guy, 35. We rode up together, you got off at 19. I was too shy to talk to you. Now full of regrets. How about sushi or tantric sex? [Box 1446] GUY ON R7 LOCAL OCT. 10, EVENING COMMUTE. You sat next to me and suddenly it was Valentine's Day. You liked my Offspring button. I told you about med tech school. You let me take your pulse. It was almost like holding hands. You: Hilfiger sweatshirt, laptop, got off at Somerton. Me: Hip chick, red hair, Capri jeans. Let's pick up where we left off. [Box 777] YO! YOU THERE ON DEERPATH DR. I'm the telemarketer you dissed. Wasn't selling you anything, SOB, just giving you a free estimate on kitchen cabinets. I know your number and where you live. Call now to apologize. [Box 961] OFFICEMAX, FEASTERVILLE, YEAR AND A HALF AGO. You: long black trenchcoat with three-piece suit. Me: Asian girl with black jacket, wet curly hair, tight black pants, sunglasses on my head. You stared at me a long time waiting at checkout. We looked at each other as you walked out. Will renew until I find you. [Box 1674] |
If You Are Reading This -- Lynn Levin
One Trick Pony -- Paul Simon
(Poem #168)One Trick Pony He's a one trick pony One trick is all that horse can do He does one trick only It's the principal source of his revenue And when he steps into the spotlight You can feel the heat of his heart Come rising through See how he dances See how he loops from side to side See how he prances The way his hooves just seem to glide He's just a one trick pony (that's all he is) But he turns that trick with pride He makes it look so easy He looks so clean He moves like God's Immaculate machine He makes me think about All of these extra movements I make And all of this herky-jerky motion And the bag of tricks it takes To get me through my working day One-trick pony He's a one trick pony He either fails or he succeeds He gives his testimony Then he relaxes in the weeds He's got one trick to last a lifetime But that's all a pony needs |
#46 -- Lawrence Ferlinghetti
(Poem #167)#46 And every poem and every picture a sensation in the eye and heart Something that jolts you awake from the rapt sleep of living in a flash of pure epiphany where all stands still in a diamond light transfixed revealed for what it truly is in all its mystery So a bird is an animal flown into a tree singing inscrutable melodies As a lover stands transparen Screened against the sun Smiling darkly in the blinding light |
I Wish In The City Of Your Heart -- Robley Wilson
(Poem #166)I Wish In The City Of Your Heart I wish in the city of your heart you would let me be the street where you walk when you are most yourself. I imagine the houses: It has been raining, but the rain is done and the children kept home have begun opening their doors. |
Love Over Gold -- Mark Knopfler
(Poem #165)Love Over Gold You walk out on the high wire you're a dancer on thin ice you pay no heed to the danger and less to advice your footsteps are forbidden but with a knowledge of your sin you throw your love to all the strangers and caution to the wind And you go dancing through doorways just to see what you will find leaving nothing to interfere with the crazy balance of your mind and when you finally reappear at the place where you came in you've thrown your love to all the strangers and caution to the wind It takes love over gold and mind over matter to do what you do that you must when the things that you hold can fall and be shattered or run through your fingers like dust |
Afraid So -- Jeanne Marie Beaumont
(Poem #164)Afraid So Is it starting to rain? Did the check bounce? Are we out of coffee? Is this going to hurt? Could you lose your job? Did the glass break? Was the baggage misrouted? Will this go on my record? Are you missing much money? Was anyone injured? Is the traffic heavy? Do I have to remove my clothes? Will it leave a scar? Must you go? Will this be in the papers? Is my time up already? Are we seeing the understudy? Will it affect my eyesight? Did all the books burn? Are you still smoking? Is the bone broken? Will I have to put him to sleep? Was the car totaled? Am I responsible for these charges? Are you contagious? Will we have to wait long? Is the runway icy? Was the gun loaded? Could this cause side effects? Do you know who betrayed you? Is the wound infected? Are we lost? Will it get any worse? |