Better off Dead

Better off Dead

“And then, of course, it jams.”

“Well, you know, for this very reason I like to know what I am getting into.”

“I know, but man, do I love how she stretches every morning, lithe, like a sleek cat. I told her from the beginning I was going to someday disappoint her.”

“I guess she doesn’t believe in that ‘forgive and forget’, she went straight for wanting you dead.”

“Surprisingly she is amazingly low maintenance, in a classic sense anyway.”

“I have heard and seen some amazing shit, man, but this I’ve gotta to tell you, this freaks me out.”

“You should have seen her. She was so hot. Standing there. Still as a statue. My breathe caught. I knew in that moment she was the girl I was going to marry.”

“She wanted you dead.”

“If she wanted me dead, she would have tested the gun, before she tried to fire it at me, across a crowded bar.”

“Tested it how? Shoot it into a pillow or the garbage can in the subway on the way to the bar.”

“She was dressed in a rocking mini skirt, purple fishnets and her black latex mini trench coat. Legs up to here, in her knee high black laxtex boots.”

“So since she was dress like the star of sci-fi porno, you think that means she would have tested out the gun, before she showed up, dressed to the nines to kill you?”

“Yeah, not only is she the sharpest dressed woman I know, she is the smartest too.”

“I know I’ve said this before, but you really need to rethink this. You bailed her out, that is enough. No need to buy her a ring.”

“All ready done.”

“I hope to God this never happens to me.”

Holiday Issue of Naked Sunfish

Yeah! It is a great issue to wind down the year. Many great stories and wonderful artwork also!

Surf over to check out my essay on Parents who drive badly and many other great features.

Snow Showers, possible tonight

Snow Showers, possible tonight

“Taxi,” yells the man in the gray coat buttoned up against the chill.
“Allow me, Ma’am.” Taking my bags.
Together we stand as steel steeds speed past.
“Snow showers possible tonight.”
Together we stand as steel steeds speed past.
“Allow me, Ma’am.” Taking my bags.
“Taxi,” yells the man in the gray coat buttoned up against the chill.

Wednesday

Wednesday

It was a day like any other—only it was a Wednesday,

the fall grass green

and the sky radiant blue.

This is the day she appeared,

not arrived,

or came,

or showed up,

because it was rather like magic.

One minute I am speaking to a friend,

on my cell phone,

the next chasing

slow moving grumpy children

from the middle of the street,

then settled on the stoop,

basking in the lunch time sun,

when, poof, there she is.

Quiet.

Curious.

Sleek & Lean.

Hungry.

Hungry for us.

Hungry.

We fed her and she strayed.

Hungry she returned and stayed.

Floating

Floating

Cotton candy clouds float like melting marshmallows across the sky.
I settled into the hammock, with a book and music playing in my ears, ready to while the afternoon away.
The phone rang yesterday at 3 am.
I settled into the hammock, with a book and music playing in my ears, ready to while the afternoon away.
Cotton candy clouds float like melting marshmallows across the sky.

Closed today

Closed Today

“I like to watch people,” he confides to me. “It excites me.”

I turn and stare, blankly.

“They move about like ants, like sheep, seeking or lost, it’s hard to say.”

My brow wrinkles like cast off tissue paper, puzzled or amused, it’s hard to say.

The hand lettered sign said: “Closed today.”

My brow wrinkles like cast off tissue paper, puzzled or amused, it’s hard to say.

“They move about like ants, like sheep, seeking or lost, it’s hard to say.”

I turn and stare, blankly.

“I like to watch people,” he confides to me. “It excites me.”

Cage

Cage

In a box – torn from my little nest
I embark upon a lifelong quest
Part trail, part pleasure
All to entertain, some gilded folks in their leisure

From cardboard box to palatial gilded cage
A bit apart, I am encouraged to engage
The world around, from my secured perch
Out slates – my obstructed view, the truth of the landscape I research

“Sing pretty bird, Sing pretty bird!”
Endless this is all I heard
And I sang my beautiful song
For that given from the heart, how can it be wrong?

House of gold bars upon the table
Peers & pokes & questions from those who are able
Curiosities & niceties, from all who visit
Nothing to do but sing and sit

Until one day the young master with big ideas arrives
And wonders how at how a creature of flight survives
When with a flourish, the door opens wide
My sanctuary quickly invaded, by a hand reaching inside

“Fly pretty bird, Fly pretty bird!”
Endless this is all I heard
And around the room on outstretched wings
I fly free – as my heart truly sings

Now near to his desk, I while away my days
Little door open, free to perch & fly in the light through glass rays
At nights, closed up tight, safe & secure
By days I sing & fly, content in radiance pure

Basking in his indifference & attentions
I preen, strut & sore, with great intentions
Luxuriating in such wondrous freedoms
At peace in his controlled fiefdom

“Frolic little bird, Frolic little bird”
Endless this is all I heard
And I heartily embraced his words & deeds
My instincts, oh lamentable, I failed to heed

One pleasant summer day
Sweet freedom, ripped from me away
When the fat sleek Persian came
Rendering my wings once again lame

Now I am confined to my perch & cage
Doors locked tight, to keep me safe, left to bask in my rage
For before I tasted freedom’s flight
Truly I was blinded to my plight

“Sing pretty bird, Sing pretty bird!”
Endless this is all I heard
Summer long – until I found my voice
For there was no other choice…

Appear in the Naked Sunfish (May 2009) www.nakedsunfish.com