White paper sticks to your skin & becomes sinew
& dust your pores
tar & mud
The ruffled necktie is fat-tight around your neck
You get migraines thinking of tomorrow's meetings
This crochet togs does a good job
of hiding your bad-hair days & dull-tired eyes
You wear it often now
And as you amble, your robe brushes with chalk
& tail gates a car chasing a wild omen
The gum in your mouth salivates like a priest
There's a message scribbled on your wrists -
Is it from carnival house, looped in plastic bracelet
Smooth as marketing pitch
Or is it from ticket retailer, black stamped-
Valid for today only
The red-moon is in shadows
Smear tree sap, coat it again in bird plumes
Finery
In one eye
Dream starvation
In another eye
You lost the zipper tab
And you can't get out of the tight suit
Sleep-walk on streets
Armed with nothing, not even your ID card
No one notices you
anyway
in crowded 4:30 pm subway train.
Photography credit: Phyllis Galembo
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Poetics - Photography of Phyllis Galembo ~ Hosted by Anthony P ~ Thanks for your visit ~
