ANOTHER VIEW

Ron promises he won't smoke. Kisses tobacco 
across my lips. Argues his case and threatens 
an interruption...or close to. He leans into 
my car window. "C'mon Cheryl..." he says. Repeats. 
My room is reserved. He is drunk..stoned..
but not immaculate. I have not drank enough. 
I am virtuous. I grab my stick shift, 
engine purring, drive past my entrance.




ABOUT WANTING TO TOUCH A STRANGER

I stood behind him
in line to get my pretzel
Blue flannel
and Cool Water
It was his ass first
a perfect ass
as I looked up
from my pocket
extracting cash
The right height
above thighs
that know fatigue
and I wanted
so badly
to exert them
To touch his broad shoulders
hold his thick arms
to smell his sweat
drip unto me
I thought of apologies
excuses
"I thought you were
somebody else."
with a familiar stroke
shoulder to elbow
Just to feel
the curve of strength
Tight flesh
Firm firm
So fucking firm
I am nearly dizzy
with wet estrus
He turns
The line is long
Brown eyes
take mine
take me
Take Me
Squealched
Again
Again
A dark brown curl
invites my finger
my hand
to brush it from
his forehead
Replace it
with foreplay lips
should he lean
down
Lean down baby
No one here
knows we are not 
already lovers
and we don't have to be
after now
Just lean down
Let me kiss your brow
Let me feel your arms
Pet your chest
Cup your ass
into my craving
Dry hump me
in the vacant hallway
It's just around the corner
His smile
again
makes my panties stick
makes my nipples point
Just now
Just give me now
Just
Give
Me
Now





JAVA

I had enough coffee today
to fuel a basketball team
but I can't shoot no more
and I never could dribble





Untitled

My stapled gut
numb & aching
where they took
my legacy
and fear
where my smiles
and tears evolved
month to month
That epicenter
of frail facade
stapled shut
Its extractions
leave me with life
merely as it is





EMPATHY/ nah

His wife left him
for sober nights
and better promises
Four sons
spin circles
of allegiance
and his reign
reins
are free
but drop to his side
a cliche
& he kisses his cigarette
goodnight





I BLED

in drips stepping
into the shower and
watched it mix down
the drain Red soaking
everything I used to
contain Bled heavy
in stirrups and raised
Clots like liver
I bled Still
Ripped Torn Open
Lying back and counting
One Two Three
Four