Shortbread and marmite

There’s a street in New York City
where it doesn’t feel like the city usually does
and poets spit nonsense truths
that make more sense than religion.
Let’s eat day old bread with tea
and run screaming through the streets with
eternity at our backs
and Nike’s on our feet.
We’ll buy strangers shortbread and marmite
the virulent strumpet Sally wants lemon meringue
and we’ll cry, but we’ll buy her an entire pie
and write poems
to try and understand
what it all means.

a love note

I want to touch you
Where the lines of your body converge
Enfold and unfold myself around
the circumference of your latitude.
Speak to me in whispers; let the sound of your words
fall off your tongue.
Bubbles through my body
float inward.
Wrap me deep within your arms
until I cannot see anything else but you.

A Day in the Life

To his wife
Pour me down your long legs
twisted like a secret
hiding eternity between your thighs
talk slow and let the coffee get cold
and we’ll stew a while.

To her husband
Shave off that day’s scruff
unless you intend to use it to scrub the dishes.
Softly, speak in whispers,
let the house echo silence
and I’ll make you your damn coffee.

Anatomy

Might actually be
The only difference
Between you
And me.

Touch.

Make me feel that my skin is skin.
Trace letters on my skin
Then erase them again
With your thumb and forefinger
Please touch.
My body is a mechanical system
Straining against heavy weights
Turn them off.
My mind is running wild
Thoughts flashing too fast to catch
Shut them down.
Reach out and cross that barrier
That separates you and me.
I want you.
Whisper beautiful lies into my ear
While your hands do the real talking.
Touch me.
Touch and make me remember.
Touch and make me forget.

halo

i screamed
and fire ripped from my mouth
burned my tongue
scorched my lungs
and all it did
was crown you
with a halo of smoke.

The Starfish

(10 lines in syllabic meter)

Arms,
stretched and open,
hugwater’s sandy underbelly;
a celestial gift
in its five point symmetry as

deep
as the blue
ocean is wide. Oh, you create a
motherly affection
that other creatures wish they had.