nose-dive

Who cares about the fat man? the down on his luck man. That sweaty, feeding, on his back, never to amount man? Who cares about the kind man? never spoke a harmful word, the kind of person you wish you'd never met. All we can be is a prison in other lives, bound to regret, bound to empty our words of safety and content. Who thinks about the middle-aged woman? with leather slippers creaking up to window slats, living other lives. Who pities that damned dog? trembling and stubborn, shouted away, always returning.

The fan blades are still, And so we are too. We go room to room, Never finding what we look for, And still we go room to room. Our voices deafen our senses, Lessened to near nothing. We wander our home, Never finding what we're meant for, And still we go room to room. When we wake in the night It feels like we are still dreaming, So we go room to room, Never waking to what we're meant for. And still we go room to room.

Here and there my skin's made taut. There and here, more oft' than not: Flesh is left both raw and free                to hang rebelliously. Their nails, they dig. Their nails, they stay, Hoping   to   tame   unnaturally. Give I do, and give                    I don't, Depending on the hands at work. Spread, I may. Spread, I might. Beware my skin, beware my spite. Tear? I may. Dare? I might.

bye bye, firefly       i whispered to the glow bye bye, firefly       and no more light did show bye bye, firefly       i held her in my hands bye bye, firefly       who flew like slipping sands bye bye, firefly       you could not stay for me

                                          “Art Like Lame Finger-Painting” The stores in the Sunshine Heights Plaza were empty and glinting in the moonlight. On this side of the plaza there was a 711, which was open, and quite boisterous at this time of night, truckers and lottery hopefuls soliciting their services. Across the parking lot and some well-manicured planters, stood a lone Starbucks, where few people sat outside,

Matchbox hands and a scent of phosphorus. Oh Green, make me Black and tear asunder Dried veins and creaking skin; As fall departs and winter impedes, A mound of decay quick turns to ash. Breathless airs lap lightly at gentle witness, Solely gazing with nothing in possession, As winter impedes and fall departs once again. Listless wisps of breathless myths; Green-held Beauty, uproot these last years, Mire it in a second's short shush, Within ravaging age's grasp.

leaping down the steps, he gasped in;    the stale and exciting airs of a NYC apartment hallway        enveloped his mind in rapture. a new found love in this new city, at long last.    they'd met the day before yesterday        and had coffee tonight. passing a tenant on more steps; her room's odor    still clung to his blazer like child to parent.        though she smoked, she didn't smell bad. no, it was more of a spicy aroma,    not unlike cinnamon and sexual arousal.        he entered into the bright twilight, and imagined himself as gene kelly,    dancing through rain, and around lamp posts,        instead of uri

the boy drew great buildings  suns and stars    pirates and superheroes giggling, and flipping through  post-it note cartoons    sticking them to himself writing on the post-it,  "will you be my friend?    nobody else will be."

A twisting of bed covers,   of limbs, of lovers, resting in each other's calm.   With a quick kiss goodbye, he reached his car door,   where a Post-It note waited: "i loved you, and this is how you repay me"

Got nothing to lose but time. Forgot the world and myself in my bed today. Cigarette in my teeth, lungs full of tar. Goddamn, it's a good way to die. Chip on my shoulder, a bounce in my step. My end is coming, but it's not here yet. Heaven in a bottle, at least my kind. It's not hard to be happy when you're living in your mind. And as the sun's falling, I know it's not too late. It's all coming together, all you've gotta do is wait. And when you realize it's a wonderful night, Oh, just take it from me -- Light one up, breath it all in -- Oh, and then you'll see. All your regrets, all your mistakes, They don't mean shit when yo

"Now take this, honey" "Daddy, what is it?" "It's something that will make all of your dreams come true" The father kissed his daughter goodnight for the very last time Walking out, his wife was sitting in a corner of the hallway He sat next to her, and handed her a pill, just one "Don't you have one?" she asked through sobs He shook his head, and brought a handgun from behind his belt "Now take it, we don't have much time," he said through tears She kissed him passionately, and obeyed. Standing up, she went into their daughter's room, and lay by her side He sat a while. He mused over a photo in his hands, his family His brother,

I walked about in the mall today, And saw a pleasant, attractive woman in a store. She worked there all day. I could hear her quaint laughter over the din, and the roar of customers. I went inside, to be closer. She sized my bare foot, and fitted me in a brand new shoe. "Those make you glow, sir" Seeing her braces, I filled with glee. I thought to myself "I love you!" I paid, and left with my wares, But not before taking one of her beautiful hairs.

I walked about in the mall today, and saw a humble, quiet woman at a food stand. She made and stacked pretzels on a tray, and with ethereal hum, made them by hand. I ordered a snack, to hear her. She put her uniform hat down, and got my treat. I took her hat while she turned, And with ease, without sound, made my retreat. Behind a corner I breathed the scent, And likewise my night was gladly spent.