Odes to VA

  Sky Writing

Sky blue

water towers

don't lie.

Danville, VA

is a world class
operation.

It is practically
written in the
sky by God.




Dick Cross

Flashing lights.
Low shoulders.

Dangerous curves.

Rear entry.
Safety words.

Riding back roads
of Virginia
is less titillating

with the lights

of day on.

Rippled, cracked,

and hopelessly grey

her body is surrounded

by an orgy of

hallow brittle bones

standing bare, erect,

and motionless as if

they fell asleep

penetrating her

downward.

Who Owns the Hands

that wishes "WASH ME"
upon the backs of trucks

or

Autographs paper chests
with inky uneven nipples

and

How dirty are they?

 

The Shortest Distance

A naked body
in the center of your road;

I am a dash
to your extended line

that stretches indefinitely
in opposite directions.

"It's a Perfect Day, Isn't It?"

I agreed.

"I've worked hard all my life.
It was time for me to slow down
so I sold my car a few months back
and now I take the bus
or walk places
like brunch here on Sundays."

He raised his cane from the bench
a tapped the sidewalk one.
His wooden exclamation point
ended our exchange.

I walked home.
But more slowly
that I had I left it.

Vegas Neon

Swan

A solitary bird;

there is no flight.

Only two hands

crossed.

Great wings

Rest nestled

upon mute 

breast.

Oh swan.

All shadow.

Caged. 

Cooked.

Oh swan.

Sky will

welcome

you

again.

A Million Photos

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

refused to kiss for the cameras

because Roy said,

“the kids wouldn’t like it.”

Comfort Station

I grow tall in my bed;

my business here is humble.

Out of my house,

imagine small, smaller.

Between pillows

a giant clears her throat.