no repeating past lessons
straddling time zones
figuring which way is North
answering simple queries
what to do next
should be easier
than strumming a banjo
except the fist won’t unfurl
empty after the feast
couldn’t tear herself away from the table
she was more than just full at the end of the feast
was loathe to return
where she had to face an empty room
only echoes and boxes and new paint
assailed her senses
not quite blocking
memories
of embraces and laughter and hope
snippets of better times intruded
pity and heartwarming notes uninvited
deepened the crack in her sore heart
she was able to save her tears
for the ride home
listening to Dean Martin sing
maudlin Christmas tunes
it’s a process
not particularly interested in truth
don’t need schooling from you
aware of the rules
yes, there’s history to be measured
but fuck all that
the biggest turn off
someone claims to know all
wants to correct at every turn
finds only fault in genuine expression
yes, fuck all that
give me a chance
find ways to speak with this new voice
explore and travel cliches if need be
of I’m lucky, I’ll never stop growing
let go the day
stretch, curl, reach
pull the moon in for an embrace
let fall troubles of the day
let cool light creep in and stay
trip through gardens, go home
with the sky full of stars, never alone
alt parade
choking on bile from out of tune banjos
the twang was a bit off
the whole parade route was tainted
running beside the float
the goat laughed and played his pipes
while hungry throngs
waited for candy to be thrown at them
a few bibles were thrown
a few daydreams were interrupted
the teacher’s red pen ran dry
a marching band from another town
played right through
forcing a pleasant dissonance
the marshall enjoyed his doughnuts
while flirting with the diner waitress
opting to ignore the parade filing by
the checkout girl at the fruit stand
watched and dreamed of riding a float
surrounded by flowers and balloons
she’d ride beyond the parade route
further than the horizon
the newspaper boy ran beside the band
dreamed of heralding a great battle
of chariots and lions
the goat tripped the boy
the band hit the wall
the balloons floated away
the banjo played on
The Word Rummager 