Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Pixie Dust


Lick the pixie dust from your lips.

You’re laughing at the Unicorn’s warning to be careful, "that fairy’s not to be trifled with.”

But it’s your last night in Chicago and you want to revel in the magic, drink in the jazz, throw caution to the wind.

You’re not going to heed the warning, succumbing to the danger that you’re in. 

“Isn’t this fantastic?” You shout over the saxophone player while you’re sitting at the corner of the bar.

“Killer.” Whispers the pixie queen as you collapse into her arms.


Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Summer and the Clouds



Summer sits.  It sits with its head in its hands deciding what to do with this lightning that never seems to end.

Curious, the pregnant clouds also sit.  They’re at the same small table, drinking shit beer and smoking – nature is getting half-lit.

“Aren’t these bugs just stupid? I wish they didn’t bite as much but scratching your skin riddled with bumps is just part of summer.”

“You can’t be mad at it.  Well, you could, but your bitching just seems wasted – go make lemonade. Or cut up watermelon, that’s something better.  Grab a towel while you’re at it, I want to go for a swim.”

The Clouds are up from the table, obeying Summer’s whims.  Getting their picnic prepared.  Everything is ready now, skinny dipping in all this heat, the water feels just right.  It’s a nod to their childhood.

“Jump in without caring! God-damn it! I stepped on a bee!”

“That’s what you get for running through the clover barefoot, Summer.” The Clouds chuckled, getting back to their backstroke, smelling like coconut suntan oil.

“You’ve always been too lazy, you never learn.  Remember last year when you got stung running through the water blowing out from the garden hose?”

“But it was coming out so cold!” Summer never gave a shit about the flip flop recommendation – too busy laughing, hopping on one foot, throwing out lightning.

The Clouds, they can’t be bothered, floating around, eyes squinting, pruned up fingers pull the swimsuit from their cheeks while they towel off, wringing rain from their soggy waving hair.

“For the last time, put some got dang shoes on your feet, we’re leaving.”  Summer relents like a toddler, the last hurrah before packing up – summer is finally over.


Monday, February 1, 2021

Bunny



“Piece of bunny!” She ran to her mother, knowing this was wrong.

Cybil, the German Shepard had a piece of a bunny.

 

Bouncing it like a ragdoll off the end of her blood-soaked nose.

Horrified, her mother smothered the child's eyes with her palm.

She wasn’t meant to see this violence.

 

Now grown, the child can’t remember her first dog killing the rabbit,

kept in the hutch just outside their home.


Disco



A violet crepe deep plunging V neck wrap dress,

cork heeled shoes with rhinestone straps


Metallic mauve eyeshadow swept across a lid

Bad Girls fills the air with music

 

You mastered the hustle,

time to go out and dance


Hang On



Hang on tight while racing downhill, helmet on, the motorcycle thrills 

Hadn’t thought of that memory in so many years, a happy recollection of a father-daughter time

Hanging in the space of her mind, held precious, playing frame by frame

Her thoughts become music, his hero’s welcome song