Alice (A Riff For Myke) Poem by David McLansky

I say this without a hintt of malice

But when I think of radishes

I think of Alice,

Of cauliflower, of

Asparagus boiled

Of garlic cloves,

Of Non-Virgin oils,

Of bitter root,

And red pepper flakes;

Dating Allice

Was a mistake.

....

I also think of

Garter belts,

Of nylon stockings

And angry welts,

Of bra hooks tight

That won't unlock,

Of angry words

And lips that mock;

Of camisoles

Torn at the strap,

Of lie down times

And hands that slap;

....

When I think of Alice

And her acne scars,

And her crooked teeth

Eating Snickers bars;

The scornful way

She'd stand and pose

The fights we had

Taking off her clothes;

My word she had

A bitchin' bod,

I swear her breasts

Made me think...

Of God.'