Kelley Jean White- Two Poems

Jumping to

Conclusions

You got to give it to Arthur:

he’s spry.

Ninety-three

and he’s dancing.

And he’s got

an old wife. Well of course

he does.

Didn’t mean anything

by it.

Not that you’re old

or anything.

Arthur, he leaps out on the dance

floor and

maybe he

falls down

and maybe

he takes his wife’s arm and they both

fall down.

Men have

brittle bones too. Ever thought of

that? You’re the one

lying

on his back

arms and legs jerking

in the air like a bug. Think you’re

funny. Circle forming

around us. Yeah.

Spry.

X

 

I used to do the holidays

swell

years and years

I made things

covered a huge

christmas tree

since childhood I saved all my money

made things for it

bought supplies and a few other things

made stockings for the children and their father

and for friends and neighbors and family

I made cookies

I baked and crocheted and made gifts

now the children don't even want

to decorate the tree

oh I've got to have one

they wouldn't like it at all if I didn't have a tree

their father has a huge tree

we might go out to the country to get one in New Hampshire

but grandfather's not there to chop it down

there will be an artificial tree at my mother's

I've spent a thousand dollars on nothing

nobody wants

and what's the use

why don't I just do got to sleep

why do I care

I used to live for it

I want it to go away

John is Santa because his birthday is December 24th

I know where he will end up on Christmas morning

and I hate it

I am sick and jenny is sick and john's sick

and I can't wait

send us home and for a week

what will I do but pick up after the kids

and feel bad and used and angry

and why and why

I think I'll go to the the supermarket and buy some lights for the porch