I've Been Here Before

Is there a way out
of the Gray Room?
The Doctor said
“I hold the key.”
The Preacher said
“No, no, that’s me!”

The Social Worker
said not to wail
The Best Friend said
“I’ll post the bail.”

The Psychic said
“I see it clear.”
The Sister said
“had enough, dear!”

The Rabbi claimed
“These things take time...”
the Lawyer said
“You’ve done no crime.”

The Guru urged
“It’s not too late
Just close your eyes
and meditate.”

Instead I hunch down
on the floor
hoping Someone
unlocks the door...

Inspired by the song Gray Room by Damien Rice

Thursday After the Ball

This morning
the vultures circled
outside my window
poised, with talons
confident that
carnage would ensue

I tried to tell them
the boat had sailed
staunchly, they refused
to accept
that they had come too late

Moo Shu Vegetables

Do you know for how long
that takeout stays good?

I'll pack it in
those folded white cartons

Excuse my absences
if the principal signs

I wanted to give you
the best of me

Instead I suppose
we settle for less

Happy Birthday, MAG

The Heroes Are Dead

The heroes are dead

And to whom do I turn
robbed of the monarchs
when will my sentence
of estrangement end

She was a cobweb
did the spider create her?
Something too fragile
for soil so brutal

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?

In a whisper
I can no longer discern
this collective
mirage from the truth

For MM and JD, MAG and BAG, and other such souls

Seule

Today, as I mourn
drowning in what ifs
A prisoner
The past has waged
its war of attrition
Rootless yet
estranged from the future
Filled with mirth
the paradox laughs