Response to Curse 7

On the street

this morning,

amid the traffic

of commuters,

fighting their way

for their weekly pay,

I saw a rat,

once alive,

now flat as a tortilla,

its insides peeking out,

looking like chewed up

cinnamon gum.

Its hairless tail

poked up from

the asphalt.

Its body

an airless sac

of death.

I hope this morning

that you feel

just as deflated,

as lifeless

and still as its

rotting corpse.

9:01 and One Second (Curse Poem)

All I was doing
was walking,
earbuds in
and I guess you have
somewhere better to be,
I guess it matters whether
you are there at 9:01
or 9:01 and one second.
So I hope the turnstile hits your back
as you exit it.
And I hope later,
in the bathroom,
you find a vivid, blue bruise,
that turns a deathly black over the day.
I hope that when you reach the top of the stairs
your sneaker catches the lip,
and you end up kissing the gum-stained concrete.
I hope you can't ever wash away that taste,
the taste of cutting me off
in front of the turnstile. 

Reese's (innuendo poem)

Let me take you in my hand,
as I stride out of this dimly lit deli.
I'll peel back your wrapper,
run my fingers down your naked, brown body
and hold your two cups gently in my hands.
My lips will brush against your smooth milk chocolate,
and I'll begin to eat your golden insides,
your butter filling my mouth,
just a little dripping down my chin.
My tongue will dissolve you,
and make us one.
I'll revel in your creamy taste,
as you course through my body.
And even after you're gone,
I'll savor your milky flavor in my mouth and mind.

Coins (for assignment)

People sway, like an underwater plant

Tattered jeans above black Nikes and an extended hat

Snaking through them, the clown fish among the anemone.

The coins in my wallet pulse

My arm itching to toss them in

Among the jangling silver.

But I see the coins

Melting into gold amber,

Forming little air bubbles,

Being raised to cracked lips.

As the sneakers shuffle past,

My arm rests by my side.

Where were you?

Where were you?
When the wind ran through the trees
Lifting our frisbee, higher and higher,
Our muscles pumping, dodging strollers and dogs
Leaping over watermelon and checkered blankets
The clank of metal bats and screams of excited parents surrounding us
The clean air rushing up our nostrils, invigorating our innocent bodies

Where were you?
When the dark clouds began to roll over the skyline
Drenching us while we stood on the rear deck of the water taxi
Our tattered clothes slowly soaking up the rain
The setting sun glowing behind Liberty's silhouette
The cool drops nourishing our tired bodies

Where were you?
When the bass pulsed, mixing with the alcohol
Sliding down our throats while the lights dimmed,
Doors opened, hands sliding down our smooth skin
The touch of the night leaving our young bodies craving more

Where were you?