Poems for a Man who Refuses to Read Poetry

1.

It’s an instant
explosion,
not unlike a child’s
science fair entry—
baking Soda
and water lava
add a bubbling fire
to an otherwise
still and contrived production
of a tropical paradise.

Its an oozing,
messy, completely
satisfying concoction
that garners touch—
that pushes over
plastic trees and
tiny figurines
in the path of its
greatness.

Some pass by,
with only so much
as a glance—
but others,
namely those
who know
the child beaming
with pride over
her accomplishment,
well they can see
the heart inside
the orange goo
flowing freely.

Still, the consensus
was only
an honorary
ribbon.

She hung it
on the fridge.

2.

She stole that first kiss.
thievery runs through her
veins, and she didn’t
give a fuck.

Only seconds were taken,
to breathe that crisp
October air, before
pushing him against
the stucco building.

It took hours to walk
less than a mile.

He asked,
Do you like to eat
one big meal,
all day?
Or do you eat
a lot of small
meals to keep
you satisfied?

I like
one
big
meal,
she gasped.

There was nothing
more said
until the house
was finally reached,
and he asked her about
religion,
over challah toast.

Before he left,
he touched her thigh
and said,
You look good,
really good.


3.

The strings
of her heart
were pulled
so tightly
one unintentionally
insensitive caress
would have surely
snapped the thin,
delicate extension.

In fact, when
the time came,
a maestro of sorts
plucked her with his
strong fingers,
so oddly familiar to her
shape—
breaking every string.
Cuts bled fresh and raw—
but nonetheless
the organ
was still
pumping out songs
of lust and yearning
for him only.

And then he closed
the lid,
and said,
Thanks for the good times.

And she was alone in
the ornate concert space
realizing there would never
be a touch so debilitating.
No other
could play her—
getting restrung wasn’t
an option.


4.

I knew I would never
be enough.
I don’t share typically,
so there would
be problems.

I had lost an earring—
an actually coveted
silver earring of mine
that particular night.

And you blamed
all women,
that we,
have to mark our
territory,
we plant things,
to keep
other women away.

Just because you
said it with a smile,
and a soft kiss
doesn’t mean
it wasn’t truthful,
and hurtful.

I just lose things.

Guess I never had
you to lose though.