Solitary Confinement
he held it
in his head
everything they said
so much so
there was
no room
for anything else
he drove through day
through night
and never took
a slice
never drank the rain
or sipped the snow
or let anybody know
his tortured soul
cept for her
TL
Lady
smeared shadow
runaway rouge
red ring mouth
slight arch of brow
corner of her lips curl
eyes the image
lit up like a tree
yards of blue satin
way past the knee
small soles swimming
in too high a heel
polished toe to nail
fingers all a ring
jangled jewels
floral scent
white gloves
wild hair
tamed by
a wide brim
ribbons and pearls
it’s good to be a girl
TL
Desperation
in a glance
he draws a breath
and looks around
is he the only one
TL
Working Class
and she’s
on her knees
scrubbing marble
and he’s in the stall
cleaning out the commode
and the Royce is rolling in
and the limos are rolling out
and steam is rising
off linen, off whistling kettles, off lobster pots
and cigar smoke is drifting
like uncorked champagne
and in the silver, you can see the chandelier
and above the clamour, you can hear the grand
and it’s a good night for servers and chefs
for bodyguards and bartenders
for concierge and valet
for musicians and maids
enjoy your stay
TL
Candlelight
simple really
wait for night
set the table
with a glass
and drop
the wax
and strike
a match
TL
Red Balloon
and you’re born
into this world
of blue sky and salty sea
tall trees and dark nights
twinkle lights strung high and low
solar rise and lunar fall
that feeling of being small
and then you know
what’s next
and you don’t know how
to be that
so you act a fool
and reach for lesser things
cool in a crowd
blend in
become a copy
fresh off assemble
robotic routine
beep, beep, beep
eat and drink
then there’s love
and you’re born again
helium high
floating across the sky
looking for a soft landing
convinced it’ll be different for you
is it
if it is
you haven’t landed yet
TL