not sure how much i like any of these-- just being honest--but i know i'm not the best judge. a couple of these are old, salvaged from the mess of my self-indulgent college writing, others are more recent. please give them a little time and space; i hope u find something in them.
what about the white chipping backhoe
the one dead in winter where
we watched twilight zone
maybe i’m distorting
but magic sprawled over warm wood floor
neither of us knew the rules but it didn’t
stop us arguing
button pusher, bear poker
the only physical fights of my life
thorntouched, small
our burnt backs cracked and cooling
i think i wanted to hug you
for Marley
my boy leaves organs on the porch
glistening and inconvenient
he lopes long and haughty but his voice
squeaks small, admits need
today i hear rodent screams from the backyard until
they stop.
when i let him in he cries for food
blood still in his teeth
he scales my leg, over my shoulders, nestles
into my arms. the stubble on my chin
reminds him of a mother. he sizzles,
idles, forgets the life he's just eaten.
He glows awkwardly in
Pajamas in my doorway;
My love ruffles their wings.
A gift to her is a long con,
A promise held hard
That another shoe will drop.
To be given two soft
Socks with no warning
Attached is unbearable.
They cry into my shoulder
When Dad leaves. He bustles,
Humming through my childhood
Home.
A sock to him is a sock,
And nothing less.