The castle was grand and complicated,
with curved stairs and weathered stone,
iron swords, silent armor, and a
rubber ducky, made indelible in a tapestry
as squishy and small and poignant.
How they must have him a fool
for loving soft things!
How I admire the nonsense he spoke
by candlelight during moments of unrest!

The gardens were made to feature ponds
so that if any duckies should pass,
they’d find the castle irresistible.

the mountain keeps moving
further the faster I run
but I’m afraid of being still

Gripping the pen/the ball/the rock
is all the same- with intent to strike.

She wondered if anyone said “ho!” without
malice anymore and if so,
was it with a jaunty affect or a sneer?
Is it possible to have a jaunty sneer?
I should think it would involve a top hat.
Maybe some spats.

Carving out an ode to industrialism
is tough when the only tool one has is ice.

She imagined her prince would find her
without fanfare, maybe alone in the woods.
Maybe he’d be a villain or an angel-
which she thought, is perfect either way;
it doesn’t signify, since he may have a limp
and possibly be an albino.

A head of steam is only as strong as
the will to be led by such caprice.

She lingered over heads of lettuce as they
were misted in their neat pyramids, a
voyeur to the leafy pile. She could sense
the tomatoes watching from behind her,
nestled in crates, waiting for something
exciting, like war or a salad.

The heart beats the same (frantically)
whether the action is running or worry.

Explain to me the mechanics
of force and favor
and how twilight
milks daydreams from the skin
and weaves them into
a taboo mise en scène
tantamount to a revelation
but with only once horse
in silhouette
and a song with no words;
show me where heather rambles
freely over rocky hillsides
and grassy tombs.

We will meet when we can count
the crumbs of our bones.
Our hearts will sing
a terrific screaming prayer.