Hello PoetryVoting

Vote

Voting-Boards

Home

HomeFollowingInboxNotifications

Read

ReadLiftedFeedsHeartedHistoryMy poemsNew poem

Explore

ExploreOrbitsWordsTagsClassics
Log in
0
Stars
0
Embers
0
Alerts
0
Inbox

Vote

Voting-Boards

Home

HomeFollowingInboxNotifications

Read

ReadLiftedFeedsHeartedHistoryMy poemsNew poem

Explore

ExploreOrbitsWordsTagsClassics
Log in
0
Stars
0
Embers
0
Alerts
0
Inbox

YODO; or They Can Always Turn You Into Some Nice Jewelry"

Lisa looks like she’s stood a little too close

To Dante’s Fireplace

A *** soaked ham left in the dirt

Small crust spots where the skin broke

 

She’s stopped wearing her dentures

Looks like her face is sinking inside of itself

 

I was napping

Dreaming about a rock on a hill

That overlooks my city

Was dreaming about what the gun said to the mouth

About how the bullet wanted a kiss

 

Found her lying in a window

Like a fish whose bowl has just shattered

A bowl that has been ***** for too long

 

It’s a mixed blessing

The glass bubble burst

The blood

 

I keep my window shut

The smell of the *** I dumped into the earth

Creeps in

Juicy apple pie smoke fingertips calling

 

Lisa’s kids

They don’t understand the anger

Don’t feel the neglect until it’s too late

 

I patch up her face

As she begs

Just don’t call the police

Don’t call anybody

I’m okay

She passes out

On a ***** couch

The kids crowd their mattresses

So they can sleep near her

 

I think about something I read once

About a company called LifeGem

And how for a small fee

They can turn your ashes into diamonds

Enough for a necklace

Or two bracelets

Several sets of earrings

 

Even when you’re worthless

You’re worth something

 

I buy dinner before work

Something fatty and saltier than their tears

 

She would always say things like

YOLO

You only live once

And then have a drink

Or hang up on a police officer

Or shut a door

 

YODO

You only die once too

I know how I want to be remembered

Request permission to use this poem
Written by
jon-tobias
American
Published
Aug 3, 2012
Lines·Words
53·275
Permission

Request to use this poem

Tell jon-tobias how you would like to use it. We review requests before forwarding them.

AboutBlogFAQPrivacyTermsContact
© 2009-2026 Hello Poetry/v27.0 by @eliotyork
Explore
Hello PoetryVoting
Write