barbara williams

i wanted to write you a poem
ode to the best time of my life
but
i forgot the words, my thousand descriptions of you
...

by chance
they met again
after lives of passing stark divides
by choice
...

why shiver my love?
i close the window
your tremble persists
i close my eyes,
...

Madly,
she fell
plunging through the sweetest air
The next day
...

Soon
enveloped in itchy blankets
breathing damp basement air
little voice encapsulated in broken body
...

relinquishing control
to the powers that be
pious?
not likely
...

oh love beast
loosen your grip
i plead for the hundredth time
full knowing
...

cupping my ears with my hands
nya! nya! nya!
i can't hear youuuuu
don't leave, don't leave, don't leave
...

tormented by your banging, the pins rattle-
frightened within their hinges
relentless, RAP, RAP, RAP
i tire of the predictability,
...

We crawled backwards
through time
we narrowly maneuvered
the meager hole
...

The floor is cool upon my face
breathe in-
vibrations from your boots fade
breathe out-
...

Man of the house
acting wounded, growing small
petting your grief
with hard swift strokes
...

Number 321
for the year
that's how you'll be
recorded and remembered
...

Still, dark night
i cease talking to God
i am talking to you
You are watching too
...

often not that you should pass me
except- that day
in a field of dancing poppies
you peeked, standing still near the brambles
...

The cows are pissed
you ooze cheese
you sneeze cheese
sounds like you want to be cheese!
...