Alive and Dying

I ride
The thrill rides
At the carnival
The panic
Of breathlessness
Just a preview
Of the final breath

As I navigate
The coaster
Or log flume
Or house of mirrors

Cotton candy
A small retreat
From truth-

Elephant ears
And caramel apples
Permeate
The hours
Of death to come

As I ride
The thrill rides
Looking around
At every one

With puffed up
Cotton
Stuck to their faces
Keeping their places
In line

To know
The thrill rides
Of dying, decay:
The tidal waves
Of wasting away.

June Sizzles

It’s been a while
Since you’ve coveted me:
Draped me naked
Across your lap-
And brushed
My lips with sweat.

   June sizzles
   Between the syllables
   Of my skirt-
   As memories unfold
   Mothballs rolling on the bed.

It’s been a while
Since you’ve reckoned me:
Spread me thirsty
Across your bay-
And filled
My eyes with rain.

 

Run for Your Life

Run for your life
They tell you at birth
Gather your things
Collecting your tokens
Of living and learning

In cardboard boxes
Lined up neatly
On windowsills
And hidden in the closets

Fading, melting,
Withering in the years
Rusted ribbons
And yellowed letters

From friends and lovers
Toting around
Their own collections

Meeting at the grave
Naked for the flowers

 

[END]

© 2003 Anastasia Clark