19. Thirty-Two

Ask her what the freezing temperature
of water is, and she's not sure
guessing thirty-five, and you
rationalize that in the scheme
of things it's not all that important,
while you simultaneousy worry
grumbling a silent cliche.

The system is shot,
and kids aren't really being taught anything
in school in this country
anymore.

So you realize
it then falls to you,
after all you're the parent,
and then comes the tightness in the chest.

The callouses on your hands begin to sting
as your grip on the steering wheel tightens,
and it's kind of funny that they aren't even
the product of honest labor, only anxiety,
this daily gripping and twisting.

Everybody wants it easy.

There's only one spin out
on the highway- no one's hurt -
but I'm falling prey to my
annual thinking error:
it's the last real day of winter.

And the falling rain
seems to confirm my hypothesis,
but you see the rain is freezing
on contact in some areas
calling bullshit on
my hopeful assertion.

So the semis are blasting past us
playing black ice roulette with
the quietly desperate lives
of these frustrated commuters and
their day dreaming passengers'
barely contained enthusiasm
and plans for the day.

I know what they know,
on some level,
that Spring is coming,
regardless of what I believe
or what
I'm ready for.

Used To Feel Like This Most Every Day

18. Tuning Fork

You avert something,
an imagined death maybe
some other life.

You watch the rain
change to snow
and the face of
the Chinese
surprised to see you.

You're a stranger
buying milk.

Before closing the door
you see him
sitting on the mattress
reading Doctor Seuss
his blonde head
shaking slowly
no.

It stays with you.

17. Almost Thirteen

Hi, Daddy.
Mom wanted me to call you because
I can't make up my mind about something.
I'm trying to decide between two shirts.
One is black, with a big heart on the front,
but it's a little off-the-shoulder.
The other is pink with
butterflies on the front.
Which one do you think I should choose?

Oh, my
heart.

Another Thanks Due To Todd Colby

I'm still young enough to sometimes want to dance, in my way. Hope you like this.

16. I'm Young Enough To Look Forward To The Future

I heard that line in a song
on the radio today and
I'd be lying if I said it
didn't shake me
a little.

The young man asserted
that his best days are
still in front of him,
and that's a winning attitude,
and I hope he is correct
for him
for me
and for
you.

15. To The Last Drop Of Blood

I know it is the organ of
lust and greed
and murder,
but I've heard that
there are also chambers in it
reserved for other functions.

I would like to know
more about those things.