Lorenzo Thomas Poems

When we were boys
We called each other 'Man'
With a long n
Pronounced as if a promise
...

The eyeballs on her behind are like fire
Leaping and annoying
The space they just passed
Just like fire would do
...

There are no gospel singers
Anymore
...

It is hard to have your son die
In a distant land
...

There may be other roles you recognize
Sailors at nightwatch
Soldiers on picket
...

The backward see
The wise don't say a word
Three dreams, one foolish
...

The land was there before us
Was the land. Then things
Began happening fast. Because
The bombs us have always work
...

The cruelty of ages past affects us now
Whoever it was who lived here lived a mean life
Each door has locks designed for keys unknown
...

I've spent the last 10 years
In other people's offices
Learning the alphabet of nods and eyebrows
And pursed lips, straining for the purse
...