Now, in my 40 some odd years, most of which has been spent in California, a surprisingly rural state, I’ve never actually been to a Country/Western bar. I grew up with horse people and lived aggie-adjacent. But still… I’ve never actually line-danced. I’ve never listened to three straight hours of both kinds* of music. It was a night of …
Ex-boyfriends in old haunts Old hedgerows emerge and the Grandest point remains It comes fast and hard The most pristine point of contention Ah, yes, that was why We wouldn’t remain together Why We we remain forever Opposed The sticking point I am simultaneously relieved and defeated Perhaps not to smack my head against this …
I’ve lied to you I’ve taken the road of strength and power And left you swinging and vulnerable I could have met you there Exposed my own fears and tribulations But I chickened out and left myself Together It was cowardly I could have pressed myself against you as an equal but That would …
I’m crying because you can’t I’m crying because he can’t Your pain and fear and frustration wash over me His pain and fear and frustration wash over me And you’re being strong for him And he’s being brave for you And I’m the only one here who gets to cry And if this is the …
My calls reverberate Around the empty space Echoing sharply off of the Cold, dead slate walls Bouncing and bouncing and bouncing With increasing speed To rebound and cut my exposed arms I don’t remember entering This room And I can’t see any door out But it’s very dark Perhaps if I feel along the wall …
I’m drawing Adding colors That are bright and Evocative Rich Shading Lining It’s glowing And sensual It’s wrong I take a black pencil to it I dull them I deaden them I kill them The live colors are What could be But are not Of the future So I mute them Weaken them I punish …
Old Faithful Off and on for many years I worked on TV and movie sets as the On-set Dresser. This is the person who is the sole representative of the otherwise unwieldy Art Department working with the camera crew. (Usually he) works with the camera guys, the Directors, Directors of Photography, the grips, the electricians, …
Haunting Beach towns In the vacant Autumn nights I wonder if my Footsteps make noise My passage evaporates With so much breeze The chill My leather jacket and scarf Collude to make me Invisible I pad down the leaf-strewn sidewalks Wondering if I’m actually Touching the concrete Or if I walk elevated across A cushion …
I roll us over Onto your back I look into your eyes Sky blue crystal And I tell you how I feel “I love you.” And I know it’s true because I want to cry You smile and kiss me “I love you, too, sweetheart.” And I know I won’t come And I suspect we’re …