Category: childhood
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voices
long delayed project finished sit back, sip ginger tea admire my Dad’s voice barks what the hell took you so long my Mom’s voice counters you could have done better trying to become an adult but voices won’t let me 11-17-20
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happy/sad
I remember the morning breakfast at my parents’ table Dad in his chair by the window Mom making coffee, frying eggs, bustling, always bustling. He said, I wanted to tell you first; in that split second, I thought the worst, cancer or some other kind of slow dying. I left the Republican Party; they’ve lost…
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Blue shark
Today, the city comes to haul away leaves you piled in the street. Before you sip coffee you grab your rake to consolidate piles Last night’s rain spread along the street. A car stops, a happy voice sings, Hi, Mr. Al. His mother says he wanted me to see his new shark. He waves it…
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morning reverie
In the half-light I read While mom argues with herself She says you have daylight Don’t waste electricity Then says I will hurt my eyes Reading in bad light Mom made up her truisms To fit her need to correct Soon it will be full daylight And she will go back inside 11-2-20
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chilly day
a chilly day an old Idea past its prime we gained an hour don’t waste it rain washes air and trees and the sidewalk that leads to and from our door 11-1-20
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stick pins
I stood in the bathroom this morning, smelled an open bottle of medicinal alcohol Images of fruit jars, alcohol soaked cotton swabs, vomiting insects choking on guts Grade school bug collection I never brought mine home to hang on bedroom wall Smell death lingering in flesh I daydreamed butterflies unable to land feed on nectar,…
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for want of a piece of hose
Years ago, I’d ride a stolen bike across campus to the grounds shed, rake leaves in large piles for a truck to gather and carry away, sit in class, leaf mold and debris on jeans and boots, compete with the leisure class for grades, laugh at sorority girls who’d pull at short skirts if I…
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Fire Bright, James’ Delight
Excited three year old Mommy, it’s a dream Hands out towards warm Chases a glowing spark Shock of bare skin landing Cowers behind chair Mommy, kisses fear away Excited dance around fire Time to leave, time for bed Marshmallows, mommy Next time, James, next time Holds tight her hand Bye, bye, Mr. Al Mommy, it’s…
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Strange
Strange how I write in daylight about last night Conjure dreams of swimming while seated in a chair Imagine flying with my feet anchored to ground Remember days of our youth walking alone 10-14-20
