Ann Beaver: Favorites

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

tayler

darkness signals the
retreat into
the shell
of sea-side
sounds.
they whisper
innermost thoughts
of blindness and
profound seconds
of suspended
fallen flowers.

the recluse
can see more
in the deepest night
than the lightest
day.

thoughts circle with
the stars, as the
atrophy of apathy
begins
and the menagerie of
faltering frowns
follows.

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

third date

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

samasati

third date

we have the same freckle on the same palm
right hand, below the thumb

you’ve got a fake parrot in your bathroom
and I grew up with one in mine, a jungle bathroom my mother painted

if you owned measuring cups, the cookies would have tasted
more like sugar and less like soap

we watched 68% of Hercules and 90% of Pocahontas
then it was suddenly 5AM and I made you stay awake with me

kisses were soft
I taught you how to make someone feel good by grazing your fingertips
up and down their arm, wrist to the shoulder
you shivered and your eyes glazed over

the affection gave me goosebumps
the guitar gave me nostalgia

you said you’re moving to london soon
I said I was so excited for you
you said you needed to get your life in order instead of swoon over some girl
I hate and I love always being that girl

you own a lady bed with rhinestones on it
you said they messed up the order but you kept it anyway
I giggled
we cuddled
you fell asleep
I listened to you snore
I left to go to work
I think you're sweet
and I’m sorry that I don’t care if I never see you again

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

Risk

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

Anais Nin

Risk

And then the day came,
when the risk
to remain tight
in a bud
was more painful
than the risk
it took
to Blossom.

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

30 Cents, Two Transfers, Love

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

Richard Brautigan

30 Cents, Two Transfers, Love

Thinking hard about you
I got on the bus
and paid 30 cents car fare
and asked the driver for two transfers
before discovering
that I was
alone.

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

Good Will 1969

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

Randall Smith

Good Will 1969

Send me your sons
And ask not why.
Give them a hug
And say goodbye.

It isn't a war,
It's just good will
We will take your sons
And teach them to ****.

It isn's a war
It's just good will.
Explain that to a mother,
See how she fills

What happened to Teddy
And Tommy and Mike.
Little boys playing
And riding their bikes.

Freckles and ice cream
First car and first date.
She looks out the window
And worries, he's late.

A chill passes over,
She awakes from a sleep.
Something is wrong
She can feel it so deep.

The chaplin is here
He knows what to say.
It's just a job
He does every day.

No tears from the chaplin
He does this so often.
Your son's coming home
In a flag covered coffin.

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

NOT NOTTING HILL

Jan 2014 Ann Beaver

Tim Knight

NOT NOTTING HILL

another midnight I've seen this week:
bed times have gone from books and milk
and slightly ajar doors,
to long slogs far into the early morning hours-

-did I, did I try too hard to hold your hand?
If so I didn't mean to,
maybe the excitement of being held again
made my squeeze a little too much.

-

another morning afternoon I've seen this week:
primary education routines of get dressed
and ready for school have been lost to
fading light showers and foaming shampoos-

-did I, did I not follow the Curtis rules?
Should I run a bookshop? Be late time and time again?
Runaway to the continent and write a novel no one wants?
Lose a wife and fall for a model?

if so, I'm sorry I'm not that.

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