Tom J. Mariani Poems

How do I know
Christmas is near
Signs around our house
Make it very clear
...

Didn't want to leave you
With a bad imnpression
Didn't want to take you
In the wrong direction
...

Not since P.T. Barnum
Was someone able to
Capture our attention
Get us excited about the egress
...

I have to go back a bit
To tell this story
Freshman year of college
PE classes were mandatory
...

There is a a distinct difference
Between her moderately made-up face
Glancing away and her stark white ankles
Flashing at me
...

It doesn't fall apart
just because
I don't know.
...

Is it only in California
That on November 24th
You need sunglasses and
Can wear shorts and a T-shirt
...

I don't recall what I saw first
His face of his boots
Both were old and battered
State-issued brown high-tops
...

He's been to Sunday School
He's had a chance to read the Bible
He's see pictures of The Garden
Colored Noah the animals and the Ark
...

I have't had time
To read much
Of his stuff
...