That say if you stand at Michigan and State
in Chicago long enough you will
meet someone you know.
My mother always said that.

Will I meet you there?  Will you
see the eager young woman you
once knew?  You know, the brunette,
thin, full of your blue eyes looking?

I will stand there for all the years
I have left.  I will shield myself
from disappointment, having forty
five years of practice, I wait
like Penelope.  You have only
to sail your ship to my side.

You are a voyage I can't
complete alone.  Raise your
red sails.  I stand on this
corner to save the life I
once threw away.  


Caroline Shank

It is but a fool, traitor, and swine
That would trade love
That would trade kindness
Or friendship so true
For paltry treats
Like 30 pieces of silver

Draw your tribal ring
And watch it become forcefield
As you sleep face-up
And jilted friends bide time
For your 30 pieces of silver
May form a blade in your spine

Do you-
Ever feel the wind
Swirling
Vermillion flames
Dance like ballerinas
Amidst the smoke and charcoal ashes

Do you-
Project your wrath
As you approach
With terminal velocity
Like soft heads
In catastrophic steel car crashes

And do you-
Feel it boil
Building steam
Like slick sweat
On calloused hands
Made for dealing leather lashes

Do you-
Realize
You are a firestorm?