Morgan

Had a lucky silver dollar

stamped in eighteen eighty-four

kept it with me

in my wallet

maybe fifteen years or more

It was with me when I found out

they had kicked me out of school

and the day

that I got hustled

down in Austin, shootin’ pool

On the day that I got married

and the day that I came home

to a pretty note

she left me

and some other guy’s cologne

On the night that I got cold-cocked

For a stupid smart remark

and the time

I got arrested

just for pissin’ in the park

On the day I got evicted

and the day that I got canned

and the day

the IRS said

that I owed ‘em seven grand -

So I sold that silver dollar

for a fifth of sour mash

and a pack of

Hav-A-Tampas

and a couple bucks in cash -

By the bottom of the bottle

as I drank it in my truck

couldn’t stop myself

from smilin’ -

guess I’m finally

outta luck.

Egress Largesse

Tell me that you
bought a card
and I’ll pretend you sent it.

I’ll say it was eloquent
if you pretend
you meant it.

We can tell our friends
we’re friends
to ease their apprehension,

say we didn’t hit the roof,
that it was more
ascension.

Tell me that you
bought a card
and I’ll pretend it flatters.

I’ll say that I wish you well
if you pretend
it matters.

Crossrode

Spun out at the intersection

of Mistakes

and Misdirection

pealing tires pouring smoke

as the brakes

howl through the spokes

twisted mouth of the suspension

pulled apart by

torque and tension

it’s a cold and quiet night

not another soul in sight

just a silent swirl of dust

falling back to road and rust

Closed my eyes, held on and skated

through the cyclone

I created

wheel slipping through my fist

wrenching something

in my wrist

hoped and prayed and swore and guessed

‘til it shuddered

to a rest

it’s a cold and quiet night

not another soul in sight

signal flashing overhead

dim and doubtful pools of red

Didn’t think to try the engine

left the keys

in the ignition

just collected what I could

of my shredded wits

and stood

didn’t even shut the door

tried to stagger

to Before

it’s a cold and quiet night

not another soul in sight

trying to get where I can’t go

from someplace that I don’t know

Somewhere southeast of Disgrace

when a streetlamp

lit my face

on a corner, felt a breeze

read the signs and

hit my knees;

broke down at the intersection

of Renewal

and Redemption

Corporate Compliance

Login,

click,

begin.

***

1. Code of Business Conduct:

Conduct all business

in code; a problem is

“an issue”.

To ignore an issue,

“table it” until it becomes

“an escalation.”

When your boss tells you

“let’s talk about that offline,”

stop talking.

When her boss tells her

“Let’s talk about that offline,”

start updating

your résumé.

2. Electronic Communication Awareness

Corporate email systems

are not to be used

for personal business.

There is no personal business here

because we impersonally

monitor

everything.

3. EEO and Harassment Policies

You do not have a race, color, or creed;

you are a number,

and you will be respected

as such.

Respect others

as such.

No means no

unless accompanied by a coy smile

in which case

it might also mean

“maybe, but not here”

(see also

Code of Business Conduct)

4. Ergonomics

It is not your imagination.

There is a multitude of ways

this innocuous little cube

can completely cripple you,

and if it does

it is entirely your fault.

***

Congratulations!

Please print for your records.

Expires in 12 months.

Fingerprince

Petal smooth and shifting you

reach your rolling neck

and roll your reaching arm,

a pure and perfect smile;

Your knees may scrape

your arms may bruise

someday you’ll love

something you lose

My whispers curl along

your small ear and fair-haired you

kick out and are still,

filling up canyons with

murmurs and gasps…

Your head may bump

your tummy hurt

someday two tears

will streak the dirt

Sleep with the peace of prayer,

wake with the awe of stars,

your fingers

fall open

like spring;

I never knew hope

I never knew fear

I never knew what

ferocity was

until

You will lose some

innocence

You will leave some

fingerprints

How can I say

you came from me

when you’re more than

I knew

could be?

[first posted on Flash Fiction a while back.]

Optimissed

brew the coffee hoping

that today will be

the day -

wondering if the miracle

is on its

merry way.

stare out the kitchen window

as the night begins

to fall –

wondering if the miracle

is having hope

at all.