The Tune
The piano
sheds crystal tears,
Mined for
its treasure with each
Step of
the fingers that
Are
brought down
Like rain
that pelts
Black
coats and white umbrellas.
A wailing
voice scratches
The walls
Soaks into
velvet seats,
Climbs
mountains
And
explores the ocean’s depths
The sun
flickers
And the
pianist charges
Across
dark spaces and bright enamel
Of the
teeth
With tools
of flesh at his disposal
Daring to
fill
The hearts
of those
Who stop
and listen
Step Up
I sit,
Staring at the false wooden grain of the
table.
The guy next to me groans as the
teacher’s pet
Gives a verbose answer
For something that could be much simpler.
This is the third time
That my neighbor expresses
His displeasure under his breath.
I shrug—at least someone gave a response
That fractured this heavy silence.
Another question is put onto the table.
A few give blank stares.
Crinkling disturbs the quiet as a person
pulls out
Something edible smelling of vanilla.
Girls gossip in the corner in hushed
tones
Sharing no concern for the lesson
While the few students who actually
study refrain from giving an answer,
Afraid that it’s wrong.
I sigh
And sacrifice myself
Like Katniss, where volunteering
Does not guarantee my safety.
In no rush
I raise my hand.
Ehhhh,
that’s not exactly it. Anyone else?
A spear pierces me
But I keep my cool,
Shrugging it off
Because getting an answer wrong is not
the end of the world.
Threadbare
King
Charlie the stuffed bear sits on a
Wooden chair in the corner of Lucy’s room.
Lucy claims that it’s his throne, and that he’s the
King of lollipop trees and candy corn.
Sitting at her table that’s missing a leg
She insists on having tea with the fair king of
rainbow taffy
The bear’s head lolls to the side,
Denying her company
But, she says
As she clutches her mom’s hand
He ends up taking a sip!
And is soon overcome by
A fit of giggles and a
Lopsided grin
Before Lucy goes to bed
She kisses Charlie goodnight
On his head
Then squeezes him with all her might
The bear watches her
A vigilant guardian
Whose eyes are affixed
To the sight
Of the body that goes still
And silent
Some way
Through the night
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