antithetical …

he’s
the everyman
of
fantasy island
who
should
have been
a tour guide
to
the dark ages
but
became
a public servant
after
finishing
high school
working
effortlessly
for
the state’s
highway department
which
afforded him
ample time
to
develop
his theories
on
society
for example
he thoroughly
rejects
socialism
can’t
stand
the thought
of
federalism
so is
a vehement
supporter
of
our military
police
and
first responders
he’s often
overheard
rebuking
welfare
of
any kind
as
he stands
in line
at
the post office
for
his social security check
he’s
truly
one of kind
and
swears
if things
don’t
change soon
he’s going to move
to
costa rica
where
he is certain
that
he’ll be able
to practice
and
further develop
his
me-ism

 

 

 

keep them guessing…

as he lie
dying
the phone rang
taking the call
he found
a distant
family member
on
the line
who asked
how he was doing
he said
everything’s going as planned
hung up
and
died with 
a broad smile
on
his face
having
left them
disappointed
about
his
successful
plans

 

 

forget the good fences…

my new neighbor’s dog
barks hard when i’m in my yard
he’s quite the guard dog
no need for me to buy one
just a good pair of ear plugs 

letting go…

for years
mary lou
worked
for
the town’s
only
doctor’s wife
taking care
of
her children
preparing meals
cleaning
her house
and
ushering away
the numerous
gin bottles
scattered
all over the house
like
dust bunnies
so
the good doctor
wouldn’t find them
but
this refined lady
let mary lou go
saying
women like her
needed
one of those
foreign housekeepers
not
just
an old colored lady
so
mary lou
let go too
of
all
those well-kept
secrets
all over town

 

 

christmas outside of yuma…

a highway breakdown
the mechanic took a look
slowly shook his head 
then said in a solemn voice
i’m gonna say last rites now

 

 

a christmas dinner…

a holiday tradition
dining
with
my friend
signing about the menu
trying to decide
what
might be
an appropriate
restaurant christmas feast
when
a somewhat shy
and
hesitant waitress
approached our table
clearly uncertain
as to
how to deal
with
two deaf folks
so i spoke
further
confusing her
but
it
assured her
that
one of us
fit
her definition
of
normal
i gave her
my order
now the plot thickened
how
to get my friend’s order
she decided
to write a note
which said
can you read
smiling
my friend
scribed
can you write

is you stupid or what…

ain’t that something
there you are
with
your golden brown skin
lying next to
a body
bleached
by
evolution
a body
that wants
to look
like you
and
you
want to act
like her
so you’re
sunbathing
on the deck
baking
in the summer sun
she’s sure
to look like
a red lobster
from this
blistering sun
and
when
you’re done
you’re
sure
to resemble
an
over baked
pie crust
so
at the end
of
the day
your goals
will have moved
further apart
since
you’ve both forgotten
how
the eyes
of
history
see you

showing this sunday…

aunt myrtle loved church
she’d say where else can you fine
free social dramas
with a cast of characters 
usually found on soap operas

 

now ain’t that something…

lord
almighty
someone just pissed
on
the alamo
not
that anyone noticed
but
me
since
it was a child
outside
his mother’s car
in
a parking lot
a parking lot
that’s
not part
of
the formally
christened
tourist hot spot
of
western fable
but
it’s still
hallowed ground
for those
of us
who know
that
the real
alamo
ain’t
just
where they
say it is
and
ain’t
about
what they’d
like
you
to believe
look it up
if
you think i’m lying
but
if i’m lying
child
then
i’m flying

if you can’t say something nice…

like to wish you well
traveling the road to hell
though i have to smile