You told me once
          of the distinctive jingle
          that announced my station
when I could steal away
for a few moments
     to speak
     to see
     to connect
Over that long distant airwave
You told me I was one
          of two
          the other your son
who you wanted to know
was on the other end
so you could be certain
to take the call
I wonder
     have I now been
          dismissed
          replaced
          discharged
­          reassigned
     to a lesser status
Or would you still get a tingle
if you heard my jingle?

Beware the rosy cheeked colleague
passing you in the hall
asking you how you are.
Beware the helpful friend
willing to lend a hand
at a moment's notice.
Beware the grocery clerk
smiling while she inspects your list
sending you off to have a nice day.
Beware
Beware
Beware
All snipers everywhere
False smiles are the turrets they hide behind
Praise offered in an attempt to make you feel safe
Only so they can make their mark
Hit thier target
Finish the job
Bullseye

Is it a mystical force

Within me

That shuts the streetlight down

As I pass beneath?

That quiets the crickets

As I stride by

At this ridiculous time of day?

Such silly girlhood notions

To imagine I posses that kind of power

And I thought those childhood fantasies

Were evacuated

Must be hiding away from the darkness

Behind my spleen

Undectable to me.

it was an innocent question
     but loaded nonetheless
if he would have known
     who he was asking
we looked the average couple
     in that dive bar holding hands
capturing the other's glance
     with a secret smile
"Is this your girlfriend?"
     your friend or acquaintance inquired
I froze
     my breath stuck for a moment
you paused then I watched the corners of that masterful mouth
     turn up and bloom into a satisfied smirk
I said nothing but looked in your soulful eyes
     you said "yes"
I froze
     my breath stuck for another moment
you glanced at me
     quizzically
we both exhaled
     "it's complicated"
but I knew you were right
     I was