‘81 Pontiac

She sat in the back. Braided Barretts. corduroy pants, turtleneck and a fair isle sweater. She was 7, eating an apple. That apple looks so good he said – nice and juicy. Do you like it juicy? He groomed her from the rearview mirror of an ‘81 Pontiac. All the way til ‘83.

For Claudia, with Gratitude

To Lead

The queen bee The orchestra conductor The lead vocalist The general The CEO The 2nd grade line leader The prima ballerina The drum major The Panic Ruling all loyal subjects Leading by gesture Setting the pitch Commanding all forces Connecting the board Strutting with pride Moving so beautifully you could cry Controlling the rhythm Ushering

Panic

Yesterday morning I saw a woman in her car. She was in her driveway. The car was running. There was a baby in a car seat in the back. The woman’s head was down and I couldn’t see her face. Her shoulders were so slumped. Her head seemed to rest on her lap. I walked

The Unknowing Reach of Hate

You shut up. You sound just like your father. Do you want to be like him? No you shut up. Don’t fucking talk to me. I hate you. She stands tall and threatening in the mother’s face. That’s enough. Do you want to be like your mother? You act just like her. You’re right that

When the Poles Crash

The Comedown Darkness don’t catch me, I don’t want to be found. Risk, just let me feel you. You make me pretty. You make me fun. You make me happy. You make me powerful. You prove to me that I can do anything. Risk, here we are at the party in the basement. At the