SPRING WOULD BE GOOD

for JMG

I would like to stop coughing now
and for Spring to arrive. Spring
would be good. A cough free Spring.
Imagine never coughing. Never
blowing a dandelion clock clean
or never going to the beach.

I think it will rain some more
then it might snow. Then hail.
This is Spring coming on like a roll
of thunder. The sand raked with waves.
All that winter is in your West
and you are waking up like a Limpet.

BUNNY, DARLING!

for BC

Bunny, darling! You simply can't
tell me it's a prima facie
observation of domestic violence.
The man was loops; it's a grotesque.
And nobody will tell me what I can
or cannot laugh at in a theatre.

Bunny, darling! I don't care
if Hugh Jackman sings delightful
and the lyric's magical.
It isn't canon. It's not the repertoire.
It's not the repertoire, sweety.

Bunny, darling! Don't you dare
pretend you didn't squeal
when the "ugly brothers" licked
their hands and stuck them
down their shorts. Bunny,
Bunny! Don't you dare pretend!

Bunny, darling! If you need a shoulder,
mine will be in the third row
of the matinee performance.
Look for the purple salwar kameez,
the scent of Chloe in the dust,
and I will hold you Bunny,
darling, I'll bring tissues.


Now with soundcloud here: Soundcloud

ROCK

You did pillow talk,

keeping your voices low

so the kids couldn't hear

the sex. There was none.

No breaking of your vows

of silence. Doris Day,

marvelling at your straightened pinkie,

was in on the joke.

Nobody heard the sex.

In the darkness and the silvered hush

hands, fumbling under shirts

and projections, find a gasp.

Denim, forced tight, springs open

like a man trap. I have never felt

such excitement. The man in front

says keep it down, but we've come

and it is all over the screen.

BOOK JOY

for JB

Saddleworth Mystery Sand
Armour Clad Rust
Sisters of Silver Creek Cerulean
Critical Cousins Basketball
Seven Golden Keys Clay

The Bell Buoy Floral Design
On Honour's Roll Sage
Hazard and Heroism Fern
"News of the World" Almanac Mint

THE FAMOUS JOKE

after QC

I don't like peas
and I'm glad I don't like peas
because if I liked them I'd eat them
and I hate peas.

SNOW HUNT

for AA

I realised the pheasant tracks were crazier

than how I'd stepped. They riduculed the snow

with flight attempts and panic. My husband

and I walked with crooked arms, shotguns

slung over our elpits like footballer's wives

did handbags. We had banned mobile phones.

Somehow a shot has sprung me; see my fleck

upon the virginal and the dead carcass.

THE WINFREY EFFECT

for DS, MR and CH

Lance yer cancer survivor
did what yer did
to win and yer never

ever cared for yer winnings
only yer competitors
and yer charity

and yer went on Oprah
to say yer lied
but nobody believed yer

Yuss'l probably ascend to heaven
like shit off a shovel
at an angle of forty–five degrees

Yuss'l probably have a star
or a space–station
named after yer

Yuss'l probably find yerself
on the Hollywood walk of fame
now that yer famous


Now available in audio here: Click Here for Soundcloud Recording