The Smoothest Stones in My Collection

Homesick There is a vacuum in me A black hole  sucking up all of my insides  It refuses to let go of its collection of organs And I am no longer able to operate properly I am like a drunk man stumbling out of a bar Who has emptied tall glasses and brown bottles To fill his stomach And sterilized the roof of his mouth  To clean up the mess he made After spitting out dirty words. I cannot walk in a straight line Because if I do, I don’t think I will ever stop walking. I will walk until the bottoms of my feet are caked with dirt and covered in calluses. I will walk along the gravel of winding country roads, I will walk over the curves of hills, I will wince when trucks rattle by me as I walk on the sides of highways. I will walk Until I reach that familiar left turn, I will walk Until I am back home. Kindergarten Playground Days The school was constructed on the principle of “alternative teaching.”  Instead of teaching us the ABC's and times tables,  they taught us...

                                                                                          (Marble statue of a Wounded Amazon) Limestone Lady Oh, sweet lady made of stone, Look down on me from up on your pedestal. Beautiful woman of gravel, grey undertones, Where did the other half of your face go? Oh little limestone lady, Sing me a sweet song,  Help me forget what I have seen With the story of your missing eyes. Why would the rain dig these craters in your skin? Was beating your beautiful face cathartic for the crying skies? Oh faceless woman, I am convinced you were lovely long ago. Before you were marred by acid, Before your flesh was picked and pulled revealing dark spots and bone. People must have stopped to sta...