Unlocked.
back from frolicking amongst ferns
watching them uncurl
with abandon
clutching small stems of crushed buds
pretending it’s not sad
they won’t get to bloom
opened a page from a favorite writer
floating amid his images
of bears and cellists and stars
knowing it was an unremarkable day
doesn’t diminish mine
for I held magic awhile
needing to touch another frolicker
I can always find him where I need him
on my shelf when it’s quiet
lined and worn
I’ll take the calloused fingers
curled around that cup of coffee
I sit in shadow
watching the veins throb in his hand
almost hearing the thoughts
the worry and the pain
I’ll take the callouses
and the thoughts
throwing them far
let the sun burn them away
like morning mist
branches blackened
dripping ice
salt coats our undercarriages
breathing in scarf shards
filthy slush
bone-poking cold
pretending balmy sun
with weather apps
summer songs
piped through ear buds
under fuzzy hat
brisk shuffle
through bleak mid morning
bunched denim propels thought to bicycles
picnic under the stars only worked for Fitzgerald
straw men with fast hats rode clean
gas station attendants played banjos for company
copper keys on green necks
opened secret gardens long thought dead
sweet candy contraband revels in a cause
twirling calliopes steamed town’s window shoppers
thoughtful rodents hoard ink
somewhere waxed mustaches danced
Rolodex flip-booking characters
replacements a dime a dozen
mimeograph and underwriting
coded filthy carbon missives
Remington ribbon spelling lust
coffee rings on Formica almost wipe off
newspaper funnies stretched thin
flasks in side metal drawers wait
hat rack is full
gloves have been buttoned
running fingers down the girdle seam
trousers become tight
knocking off before 5
head to the seedy bar a few blocks over
throw back some belts
light some cigarettes
banter is golden
eyes go where fingers itch to feel
there’s a motel next door
let’s get our coats
The Word Rummager 