My husband's poetry

Category: neighbors

  • Reading Anne Frank

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , , , ,

    I wonder what became of the family who hid Anne Frank in an upstairs room I wonder if one of my siblings or a childhood friend would have turned her family in and gloated as they were hauled away I wonder if I would have the strength of character to say, “No More” 1-29-25

  • Big yellow bus

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    puddle in the street wishing it was the sky reflects its dream school bus pushes past deposits children at the curb traffic stops in both directions free at last they stomp and splash the puddle dry before they race for home 11-14-24

  • Batteries not included

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in ,

    engine roars to life throttle wide-open motorcycle manhood tickles his testicles two times ’round the park sunning turtles plop back in water tiny waves replicate towards far shore reflected sun neons low-hanging limbs one more time around the park to make sure everyone knows he has a big bike throttle wide-open motorcycle masturbation tickles his…

  • Mr. Wright’s Kitchen Table 1966

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    green stained gym shoes sweaty tee-shirt sticks to your back smell of wet cut grass blisters from hand shears the sun grows hot you walk faster to finish by noon Mr. Wright calls come inside pours coke over ice condensation puddles on kitchen table he offers more coke; you drink that, too he asks if…

  • Beer money

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    I had not seen the old man who lives on the other side of the park since last Autumn. Today, while walking by his house, he called from his porch. I walked over to say hello. He removed a blanket from his lap, showed me his leg was gone, said he could not trim my…

  • I’m okay

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    Some days the noise of the city aggravates; some days the noise of the city invigorates. Siren’s wail fading in the distance means our neighbors are okay. The drone of a plane means someone is going somewhere and is staying safely aloft. Faraway hum of vehicles means folks are going to work. Whirl of mowers…

  • Mary Catherine

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    Mary Catherine walks her neighbor’s foster dog in the park and she smiles as it drags her along behind. Mary Catherine stops at the bench where I am sitting, because the dog wants petted by every stranger he sees. Mary Catherine says she often sees me sitting in our side yard as she drives by…

  • Anatomy of a wave

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    She walks two sets of dogs each morning, rarely smiles or says a word in passing, waves from across the pond. You wonder how many emotional and physical acts of misogyny she has endured to bring her to this point and resolve to respect her downcast eyes and silence in passing and wave back from…

  • Before the sun is high

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    Emerald-headed mallard swims through trees set adrift in a blue, blue sky before turtles line the shoreline like city folks at Hilton Head resorts, before bright green anoles emerge from nighttime hiding places, before a frog chorus gives way to bird solos before swarms of tadpoles are consumed in the coming feeding frenzy, you recite…

  • Time

    —

    by

    cfblack
    in ,

    Even at 10 am on Thursday I hear whirling leaf blowers and I do not know if it is A landscaper trading time for dollars or a retired neighbor filling time with a sense of purpose Either way, it matters only that I hear whirling leaf blowers and take time to ask questions 12-2-22