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Nicotine
It’s a strange thing I can’t wrap my head around How the lack of something can make your head and heart pound It’s behind the dumpster at work Adults like teenagers sneaking out Every hour to regain their perk That potent substance exerts its clout How does it begin As a desire to be cool,
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Backyard Birds
I was in the hot tub The water 104, the air 24 Such a juxtaposition of degrees After a long run, the hot water felt good on my knees I leaned my head back in the tub Looked at the turquoise sky In the quiet, I heard a whisper, “What’s up?” I looked around in
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The Redwoods
He asked if I’d seen the redwoods All around me were pines and moss We were tucked underneath our hoods The ground was slick I was there to get lost My watch’s face mirrored mine He told me, “They’ve been here since the city started keeping time” The man disappeared The cool air neared My
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Basketball Dreams
I could sit here and watch this all day long The bounces, the swooshes, the buzzers are a pretty song Yellow, black, and white scattered across hardwood How can a player, a team, be so good Squeaky sneakers Fans packed in the bleachers Swaying ponytails Running, diving, shooting, dribbling The swoosh again It’s the song
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Bad Guys in Movies
What’s it like to be the bad guy in the movies How do people treat you in reality Is each role worth it or just another fatality In a tucked-in, button-up shirt Hair slicked back How many people on the screen do you hurt Do you ever do the math I heard a philosopher say:
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Gravity
I watch the elderly man across the street A motorized platform lowers him from the bus onto the pavement The bus driver comes around to spot him, but not to touch He stands close by It’s an odd arrangement There is a hunch The man’s posture is nearly at 90 degrees His eyes almost parallel
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The Cough
He was coughing in the office next to me His red cheeks, green tie, white hair Gave off the ambience of a Christmas tree To be fair, the doctor himself was fighting a cold The coughing was the loudest he’d ever been He didn’t ever seem bold He’s one of those people who says little
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Resignation
Dear director, Due to foreseen circumstances I won’t be attending your program in the new year I opted for something better My gremlins plant doubts But I figure I’d better take my chances So I decided to quit, to get out Before I start There was a sense of impending doom After a few conversations
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Lucy Black
You were talking to me in a dream the other night I could see your face and hair all white You were talkative in your usual tone Spry, with red lips, and wide-eyed Hard to believe you were 88 It was still as if it came for you too soon December 22nd was the date
writings on life
gremlin fodder 