Friday, June 30, 2017

Villanelle

My grandmother was tortured, so she tortured us,
Called my mom fat, dumb, told her to "see a shrink,"
Though we all got pretty used to that. She was boss,

And no matter what age, or number of kids you toss
On the family pyres, you always stood on the brink.
My grandmother was tortured, so she tortured us

Wherever and whenever, and with a minimum of fuss,
She'd identify the target like a cat springs on a moving thing!
Though we all got pretty used to that, she was boss

In love with you for awhile, only to snap and cuss
Into your face till the teas flowed, and you fled the outing.
My grandmother was tortured, so she tortured us.

I guess is was to make us stronger, make us more robust
Of spirit, able to take on the world and never shrink!
Though we all got pretty used to that, she was boss,

And since love in a family has to bear its own cross,
We licked our wounds and hugged her with a wink.
My grandmother was tortured, so she tortured us.
Though we all got pretty used to that. She was boss.

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Orgy Over

all the battlefields
like monumental beds
where millions sleep it off
in the arms of lovers

after going at it for days
like there's no tomorrow--
walking through this one
on tiptoe not to wake them

Friday, June 9, 2017

Gerontic Fable

Two people meet in the middle of a bridge. They start talking. One's dressed in blue, the other in red. They finish their conversation amicably, and walk off in opposite directions, each scratching her head in confusion. "So, how was it," is the question they face upon reaching their compatriots. "Fine," they say. "But those people have a hard time with reality." Suddenly a speedboat shoots beneath the bridge. Its co-pilot holding a sign that reads: Jump, jump, we'll save you!