content [adj]

I wish
I had more time

I wish
I didn't wish
for things not mine

I dream
I no longer dream
for another life

This one
keeps me
occupied

After Noon

She wants to know what I'm doing
Doing
I'm not doing anything
We're both doing nothing

I'm moving, she's moving
around the house
We're busy
looking for something to do

Come, let's watch TV

She lays across the bed
Her head rests on two pillows
Feet stretched in striped socks,
each toe pushing a color

I have the remotes
One for the screen and
one for the cable box
I'm flipping through
She doesn't know what she wants
to watch, just anything will do
She's happy for the company

She sits up

Do you want cover?
Do you want me to turn on the air conditioner?
Is it too much light for you?
Do you want a drink?

No.
She lays back down

She wants to take care of me
She can't help it
She's done it her whole life

Sammy

I have a friend,

he's little,

he sits in my lap.

English is not his first language

Sometimes he understands me

At times I understand him

We are learning

He doesn't smoke or cuss, but

barks, it's worse than his bite.

He kindly lets me pass first,

and prefers to walk behind me.

I seem to always forget his custom,

at the door, we politely do a dance.

In his culture he doesn't really hug,

shake hands or kiss,

he licks

many, many times.

He would play all day

if I let him.

I would tell stories endlessly

if he listened.

Eventually one of us walks away,

except in a game of stare-me-down.

Sometimes he blinks first,

other times I lose.

He's fierce.

I call him Sammy

I don't know if

he had another name

before I knew him.

He was growing already

when we met.

I think he's starting to like this one

I love how his ears

flap back

when he runs to me.

I call him again to see,

Sammy.

He's eight weeks old,

wiser than his tender puppy age.

He refuses to let me train him

without teaching me as well.

He proudly sticks out

his little boy chest,

and prances.

He obeys

but knows he doesn't

always have to.

Mister Smelly Belly

Prince of Pee and Poo

Stinker

Little Rascal

Big Boy Cuddles Wants to Play All Day

Leave My Shoe, Leave My Shoe

He auditions for a nickname.

But Sammy will do

just fine.

I hope he's my friend

for a long time.

Monday, again

The sky pelts raindrops at the galvanized roof

One right after the other

His voice early this morning sets my face

I close my eyes and lay still

Is she well, will she eat, what will she eat

Will she live past one more scream

Better than having nothing

Quiet is a woman in a black shroud

A spoon clanks against a cup

It's the blue one, I'm sure

He's making tea, one for her too please

A whistling sparrow lost in flight

Her mumbles to him fall faint at my closed door

….

Nothing now but mute shouts

I think it's safe

Jerk

You're stuck

in all that fuck

this and that

Shitting through your mouth

and farting on the screen

Saying you want a queen

But you're mean

Sounding like a boy hurt

Kick rocks

Eat dirt

You're a jerk

How old are you?

Nineteen, thirty-two

We don't know

Do you?

Is Leo even your name?

And is this just a game?

Teasing and provoking the sane

Inflicting word pain

All that crap you write about

And you still get Likes like

you're a poet

Pleaseblowme.com

You're a clown

in a boy suit

Talking to girls

and sounding like a cunt

Chasing the love and fantasy

like you're really on a hunt

Pleasesitdown.org

You bore me

with your trivial mind whine

You're so far behind

in time

in time

In time you'll be gone

Your words will fade

No girls would've stayed

You're played

Your swag rained over

like a two-leaf clover

Move, I got this

Nice don't finish last

Strong, sweet, sincere

Not a thing of the past

Watch this

Watch this

Watch this right here

for the New Year

Are you still with that man?
The one you call
"He ain't my husband,
he's just a man I live with"
You know, I'm back in the village
I can't stop thinking of you
Let me give you sweets
for the New Year
Are you still working life down?
Beating your heels on the hot ground
Dodging near misses and close calls
Dragging your crown all over town
I've got a nicer ride
I eat better too
I know it doesn't matter
I'm just telling you
Let me give you sweets
for the New Year
How's the little one?
Does she work the five and dime?
You know, it's a different world
Don't spend her time
She deserves wings
to soar; so much more
Are you ready?
You're holding on
to boogie monsters
Don't be a fool for your strength
Stubborn false pride
Wishing everyday you'd died
Living life like it lied
Let me, let me give you sweets
Sweet nothings, sweet some things
Sweet sounds and silence
Sweet days, sweet nights
Love and balance
Sweet times, peace
Higher aims to know
Sweet inspiration
to get up and go

Dance With Me

Place your hand with mine
The prism of our time
You and me
We said forever, see
You pull away
Come, dance with me
Near you makes it better
I want to feel
What do you want?
Dance, dance for me
Let me see you smile
Move your hair
Let's just two-step in time
Let our bodies change your mind
These lights, I'll turn down
Is that okay?
This shirt, I don't need
Shall I stop or continue play?
See me as I am today
Asking for again
Give love another chance
Dance, baby, dance
I am a drone with no queen
A drake across the pond
This emptiness I can't take
H e l p  m e
M a k e  i t
G o  a w a y
D a n c e
Dance for me
Hear the conga's heat
Yes
Let it go, let it out
Pound my chest
Harder
I didn't mean to push you
Further
What I once said
I meant, I still do
Yes, these are words
They have no flight
Until mind and action clasp hands
A heart makes it right
I want to dance with you
I am flawed, this you know
But a rainbow
Comes when eyes dry
Don't let me be the dream you fear
We still can have forever
Dance, dance with me

Standing There

Hazy lazy
No more burn
The day's light dimmed
Half past five
I'm holding on
Your soft skin
So warm on me
Above
The sign of the cross
Is the sway of the palm tree
The earth's whisper blows
Like love on me
A better fit
You on me
Goldfish eyes
Sweet heavy lids
Over my shoulder
One foot lost in the sand
A little orange painted toe
Bores a hole
Like a crab digging out
Inhale exhale
Tiredness says hello
We should head for home
But we don't leave
We can't let go
We're in a close embrace
A lover's moment
We feel too good
Hugging, holding, standing there
A pair