Posts for June 28, 2018 (page 5)

Grandmother spreads an oilcloth
with lemons and leaves on it
over the picnic table out back.
We clink jelly glass to jelly glass,
our talk is watermelon pickles.
Inside, a bowl of boardwalk candies,
their centers, Jubilee kitchen wax.
The ribs of her seersucker dress
are a second hug. Toughest job of the day,
to crank open aluminum ice cube trays.
To the boy, who played across the street,
I will always see you through clothesline crisp sheets.
How would we say “call me” with just our fingers now?

In its own way cold heals. Numbs.
Courts you into survival mode,
one foot in front of the last mired
in slush and circumstance.
Lift. Step.
Lift. Step.
Time will pass,
toes will leave.
Don’t stop.
It’s just us.
Just[ice].

back porch furniture tumbled
around, like a child’s
playroom, a constant jumble

Sunburn and sand
men in Speedos – women in bikinies and thongs
Confidentaly strolling along the beach
and shopping in the stores along the street
 – No worry – it’s Greece
It’s the beach – all is okay
Everything and everyone is accepted
     ~ C I E ~

Heroes and villians
wigs, capes, makeup and swords
comic book characters have come to life!
Confidentaly parading toward the Convention Center
  – No worry – It’s London
It’s a Comic Con convention – all is okay
Everything and everyone is accepted
     ~ C I E ~

The audience is responding to the
music and its message
The angels are men in dazzeling costumes
and high heel boots
Confidentaly singing and dancing on stage
  – No worry – it’s the 400th performance of Kinky Boots
at the Adelphi Theatre – all is okay
Everything and everyone is accepted
     ~ C I E ~

The community has gathered under the dome
clergy in vestments and
congregation in blue jeans
Confidentaly going forward to receive Holy Communion
  – No worry – It’s St. Paul’s Cathredal – all is okay
Everything and everyone is accepted
     ~ C I E ~

Boobs and buns at the beach
Creative imagination and animation come together 
“Just be who you want to be”
All are invited and welcomed at the Lord’s table
  – No worry – when the context is love
and respect for your neighbor – all is okay
Everything and everyone is accepted
     ~ C I E  ~

The Japanese people were given                           The American Citizens were given
two days                                                                      two days
to collect their belongings,                                      to collect their belongings, 
sell their property,                                                     sell their property, 
and say their goodbyes.                                            and say their goodbyes. 

The Japanese people could take                             The American Citizens could take
only what they                                                           only what they 
could carry:                                                                could carry:
pictures,                                                                       pictures, 
memories,                                                                   memories, 
a treasure                                                                    a treasure 
or two.                                                                          or two 

The Japanese people were                                       The American Citizens were
forced                                                                           forced
to live in                                                                       to live in 
stalls.                                                                             stalls.
Floors made                                                                 Floors made
of dirt                                                                            of dirt 
and horse hair.                                                           and horse hair. 

Barbed wire                                                                Barbed wire
set limits                                                                      set limits
and guns                                                                      and guns
trained                                                                         trained
their sights                                                                  their sights
on the Japanese people.                                           on the American Citizens.  

Prying eyes and glances that pass by
dictate rust cameras that know only hunger rhymes
the exposure of imperfections
the “excess” consumption

Little girls don’t know
The wicked spell
that will consume their souls.
 How the bathroom floor will feel more like home
And the secrets
that you will promise to never tell
in fear that they will no longer help.

A Boom rings, sirens call
Collages of silent gags
Decay’s rage comes taunt in your gasps
Arrivals perished, 
Down the child’s rabbit hole
The origin of acceptance
tied to the toilet bowls you dance with.