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"majored" poems
I like hearing you talk about Mozart Because it means you’re listening. His piano keys are no different from mine. I like hearing you talk about Mozart. I used to play his pieces before I sleep. His arpeggio is my lullaby; His laughter, a sombre tune to which I tune My keys. There’s no denying that you like Mozart; Never mind his spending habit. I sometimes think you are Mozart. I think Beethoven was fad gone true because He was deaf to his laughter, And Schubert was too old, too young to remember How to step on the pedals While he tried his many operas On his baby grand piano. I think of Mozart in my sleep, in my dreams, On the toilet, while eating. I think of Mozart and his young son And the requiem he stood dying to finish. Mozart became a One night stand, and I am not proud of that. I majored in advertising, God knows why, and maybe Mozart had something to do with that. I factored one and two equals the sign of what digit, And maybe Mozart had something to do with that. I wrote a story once, About a starving artist; Maybe he was the force behind that. I filled my library with fiction, And fiction became a running schedule for me. Maybe Mozart had something to do with that. I’ve grown roots and sprouted horns listening to Bach; I don’t think Mozart knew that. But it was the size of the shoe that never fit me in third grade, And the roots run as deep as a well of Hope grown asunder. I knew Mozart would not like that. And it was holy. We are holy. He was holy. Mozart was holy. Mozart was holy. Mozart was holier than a cow gunned for meat turned to steak And corned beef on my breakfast sandwich. Mozart was holier than a dishwashing paste advertisement That promises oil free, squeaky clean Experience. Mozart was more than a religious façade played in the sala Of some affluent geeky teenager’s house Where no one bothers to eat the garnishing. Mozart was holier than Bach, Chopin, Stravinsky, Wagner. His flute promised a princess to remain priceless. Mozart was holier than Salieri. Mozart knew better than Salieri. Mozart played better than Salieri, And he got the better of Salieri when Antonio himself said, **** that Austrian ****** who plays, lives and howls like a show monkey. **** this court. **** this Emperor who can hardly keep together his fingers to play. **** Austria. **** Vienna. **** this era of opera played in German that hardly sells a ticket. **** this requiem and this boy, This mad man, pint sized and hardly put together like a china doll. **** this piano, and to hell with his lovers.” I saw Mozart once. He waved at me. I turned and looked away because I was listening to you talk about Mozart. And I like hearing you talk about Mozart Than Mozart talking about Himself.
0
Apr 20, 2012
Apr 20, 2012 at 6:46 PM UTC
I Like Hearing You Talk About Mozart
I like hearing you talk about Mozart Because it means you’re listening. His piano keys are no different from mine. I like hearing you talk about Mozart. I used to play his pieces before I sleep. His arpeggio is my lullaby; His laughter, a sombre tune to which I tune My keys. There’s no denying that you like Mozart; Never mind his spending habit. I sometimes think you are Mozart. I think Beethoven was fad gone true because He was deaf to his laughter, And Schubert was too old, too young to remember How to step on the pedals While he tried his many operas On his baby grand piano. I think of Mozart in my sleep, in my dreams, On the toilet, while eating. I think of Mozart and his young son And the requiem he stood dying to finish. Mozart became a One night stand, and I am not proud of that. I majored in advertising, God knows why, and maybe Mozart had something to do with that. I factored one and two equals the sign of what digit, And maybe Mozart had something to do with that. I wrote a story once, About a starving artist; Maybe he was the force behind that. I filled my library with fiction, And fiction became a running schedule for me. Maybe Mozart had something to do with that. I’ve grown roots and sprouted horns listening to Bach; I don’t think Mozart knew that. But it was the size of the shoe that never fit me in third grade, And the roots run as deep as a well of Hope grown asunder. I knew Mozart would not like that. And it was holy. We are holy. He was holy. Mozart was holy. Mozart was holy. Mozart was holier than a cow gunned for meat turned to steak And corned beef on my breakfast sandwich. Mozart was holier than a dishwashing paste advertisement That promises oil free, squeaky clean Experience. Mozart was more than a religious façade played in the sala Of some affluent geeky teenager’s house Where no one bothers to eat the garnishing. Mozart was holier than Bach, Chopin, Stravinsky, Wagner. His flute promised a princess to remain priceless. Mozart was holier than Salieri. Mozart knew better than Salieri. Mozart played better than Salieri, And he got the better of Salieri when Antonio himself said, **** that Austrian ****** who plays, lives and howls like a show monkey. **** this court. **** this Emperor who can hardly keep together his fingers to play. **** Austria. **** Vienna. **** this era of opera played in German that hardly sells a ticket. **** this requiem and this boy, This mad man, pint sized and hardly put together like a china doll. **** this piano, and to hell with his lovers.” I saw Mozart once. He waved at me. I turned and looked away because I was listening to you talk about Mozart. And I like hearing you talk about Mozart Than Mozart talking about Himself.
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69
I am not a poet nor a mathematician, I did not major in science, I majored in bad decisions, at least one I can call my own. I am a misfit; I bleed words for a living, we're all going to die my friends, I plan to die alone. I am an artist through and through, from each creative incision my hate for them consumes. I have grown more lethal; I have become incurable, I am a hideous villain this time I'm keeping score. I pity the weak have you not heard of me, if you have then you're a nobody too. Cause I love to dwell with misfits, those who feel what I feel, the glass is not half empty, the glass is definitely full. It’s filled with poison for us to consume, so, we embrace our world until our lives are doomed, to the point, we can **** to the point we feel terribly ill, but before they **** us, we point our pen and spill. And yet with blood I cry as the words keep on giving, every single worthless day until the story ending. Dear, world have you heard of me? I am the next great villain, this is just the beginning as my words keep spilling. One morning the rain fell over my head then time stood still, that is when I realized how important the rain is. That is when I realized time never stands still, it moves slowly. Then it hit me, my words aren't ignored my words are lethal, I figured it out some time ago but most of you have no clue, a poetic death is wonderful as long as we set the mood. I am a misfit; I bleed words for a living, from each creative incision, you become a misfit too.
0
Jun 18, 2013
Jun 18, 2013 at 7:00 AM UTC
The Misfit Villian
I am not a poet nor a mathematician, I did not major in science, I majored in bad decisions, at least one I can call my own. I am a misfit; I bleed words for a living, we're all going to die my friends, I plan to die alone. I am an artist through and through, from each creative incision my hate for them consumes. I have grown more lethal; I have become incurable, I am a hideous villain this time I'm keeping score. I pity the weak have you not heard of me, if you have then you're a nobody too. Cause I love to dwell with misfits, those who feel what I feel, the glass is not half empty, the glass is definitely full. It’s filled with poison for us to consume, so, we embrace our world until our lives are doomed, to the point, we can **** to the point we feel terribly ill, but before they **** us, we point our pen and spill. And yet with blood I cry as the words keep on giving, every single worthless day until the story ending. Dear, world have you heard of me? I am the next great villain, this is just the beginning as my words keep spilling. One morning the rain fell over my head then time stood still, that is when I realized how important the rain is. That is when I realized time never stands still, it moves slowly. Then it hit me, my words aren't ignored my words are lethal, I figured it out some time ago but most of you have no clue, a poetic death is wonderful as long as we set the mood. I am a misfit; I bleed words for a living, from each creative incision, you become a misfit too.
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28
A silly summer assignment, that could be done in a day. Constantly pushed away, and left to linger. Crossing my mind here and there, but never fully acknowledged. Deep within , I realize I must finish it. I sit down and begin to read, but my mind seems to stray. Within arms reach, lies my ever so lovely laptop. Temptation overwhelms me, and I place the book down. Pages crinkling, I don't bother to look. Hours pass, and the computer is still open. Going within and out of sites, cat videos and social networks. A thought ponders, that book, that story. Closing the laptop, I pick the hard copy up. Struggling to finish a page, I cowardly give up. And suddenly I realize, I probably should not have majored in English.
0
Aug 22, 2013
Aug 22, 2013 at 11:33 PM UTC
Procrastination
Am I selling my soul to the corporate world in a vain pursuit of future financial stability? Should I have bought my future with what little I had and spent it growing my skills in music and writing so that I could know they were not wasted? Should I give up on this new work-from-home desk job where I'm paid commission and weekly bonuses and won't see the residual income from renewals for thirteen months? Can't I have something stable that doesn't bore me to death, and something exciting that doesn't turn my anxiety to an 11? I've never had a balance--every job has been one or the other. And yet, as I yearn for a career in music, I recall my past where I majored in songwriting and couldn't handle college and I sigh and realize that jumping to a music job wouldn't "fix" me. No matter what I'm doing, I will need to have perseverance, and patience, yes, but also motivation and drive to improve myself. These struggles that I face now at this job are the same ones that I've always struggled with--they're part of me still. And I've always blamed the job for not being a good fit-- and some of them weren't, true--but that wasn't the root of it. A job that is worth doing will take effort and drive and no worthy income comes by barely getting by and doing the bare minimum in order to escape a scolding. I need to change my mindset in order to grow above this-- this swamp of complacency, this mire of despondent weakness, this misty swath of ambiguous feelings that have dictated my actions for far too long. No. I'll sit and get to work knowing that I am securing a future for myself, my husband, and family and that one day, I will have time to create art in any way I want but right now, I have a lesson to learn about working hard and rising to the challenge. Don't let me forget. I can't look back now. Up I go, to new heights where the fearful me thought the risks were too great. Up I go, to climb my mountain and win this battle, and the next, until I'm out of the doldrums and onto the path that advances before me. Here goes.
0
May 18, 2021
May 18, 2021 at 3:37 PM UTC
Up I Go
Am I selling my soul to the corporate world in a vain pursuit of future financial stability? Should I have bought my future with what little I had and spent it growing my skills in music and writing so that I could know they were not wasted? Should I give up on this new work-from-home desk job where I'm paid commission and weekly bonuses and won't see the residual income from renewals for thirteen months? Can't I have something stable that doesn't bore me to death, and something exciting that doesn't turn my anxiety to an 11? I've never had a balance--every job has been one or the other. And yet, as I yearn for a career in music, I recall my past where I majored in songwriting and couldn't handle college and I sigh and realize that jumping to a music job wouldn't "fix" me. No matter what I'm doing, I will need to have perseverance, and patience, yes, but also motivation and drive to improve myself. These struggles that I face now at this job are the same ones that I've always struggled with--they're part of me still. And I've always blamed the job for not being a good fit-- and some of them weren't, true--but that wasn't the root of it. A job that is worth doing will take effort and drive and no worthy income comes by barely getting by and doing the bare minimum in order to escape a scolding. I need to change my mindset in order to grow above this-- this swamp of complacency, this mire of despondent weakness, this misty swath of ambiguous feelings that have dictated my actions for far too long. No. I'll sit and get to work knowing that I am securing a future for myself, my husband, and family and that one day, I will have time to create art in any way I want but right now, I have a lesson to learn about working hard and rising to the challenge. Don't let me forget. I can't look back now. Up I go, to new heights where the fearful me thought the risks were too great. Up I go, to climb my mountain and win this battle, and the next, until I'm out of the doldrums and onto the path that advances before me. Here goes.
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51
I have a full beard Finely combed and shiny that's why when I walk, I walk with shoulder high When I smile or laugh It radiates and awaken dead soul I have a full beard it covers the skin blemishes it makes me handsome, humane and not a terrorist my beards make me proud it brings happiness and sheds depression I'd have it over all the wealth in this world, cause Islam says so Note, I speak bearable English sibe sibe omo yoruba nimi pelu i majored in law So you need not utter disrespect I pray five times daily, read the quran Every good reward I earn is mine I follow the hadith and sunnah And no, that's not a crime! You all gossip as I walk by You hate my beard because you don't understand at all But peace and power I have found As I am equal to any male! I am a Muslim So please don't pity me For God has guided me to truth And now I'm finally free! {final verse courtesy of an online source}
0
Mar 27, 2016
Mar 27, 2016 at 2:22 AM UTC
full beard
Rattle Snake Bob came swaggering in with a gun in his boots n' smell'n like gin He had one green eye, and a wandering blue make'n ya wonder which one was look'n at you With burry vision, and a sloppy slur the swanky restaurant went silent in a minute, or two -- cause he was standing bear *** naked wear'n just a single shoe waving his gun up in the air -- with last nights Chili n' gum mixed in his hair My- oh -my how everyone stared everyone knew to hit the deck when the bullets went fly'n and bouncing like heck See -- Rattle Snake Bob had a twin named Rob who'd gone to Princeton and was a total snob he'd majored in golf n' minored in Law with a penchant for ladies... that were dating ...Bob
0
Apr 2, 2015
Apr 2, 2015 at 7:35 AM UTC
Rattle Snake Bob & His Twin Rob
Being talked down to - That never happened. Being taken advantage of - That isn't true. Being stood up - That's dramatic. Being violated - That's just plain wrong. Being broken - That's pathetic. You put finger quotes around my word. The word I used to open up to you. But oh... I'm so sorry. I didn't realize that you majored in my trauma enough to tell me my own history. -t.s.
0
Feb 22, 2024
Feb 22, 2024 at 10:06 PM UTC
"Trauma"
The band was loud, but in the other room and the bar was jammed. He set his drink down a little too hard and it over-sloshed a bit. “Run away with me,” he said, spreading his arms wide, “I’m done with school!” “Well.. you graduated - that’s why you’re done,” she said, somewhat amused. “We share a gravity, you and I - we’re.. we’re like aligned suns,” he romanticized. “You should’ve majored in sales.” she said, sipping her own beer. “Our love is so real, so raw - it's pure and yet - so street.” “We have ‘love cred’?” She asked doubtfully. “Wherever we go, we'll navigate that urban maze, hand in hand, we’ll OWN those concrete streets, we’ll paint our own graffiti! “Have you snorted something?’ “No matter what life throws at us, we’ll face those challenges head-on and we'll stay united.” “Have you been practicing this?” She asked “We’ll swagger,” he said, “our love will be timeless..” “And rhymeless,” she interjected hopefully. “Together, we’ll be urban legends..” he continued. “Like Bonnie and Clyde?” she asked, making a yuck face. “We’ll be living art,” he said dreamily. “Sounds dope.” She admitted. “Then you’ll DO it?” He asked. “Until Monday,” she said, nodding in assent, “classes start on Monday,” she shrugged. “It was worth a shot.” he said stoically, after a moment. “It was a good pitch,’” she said, taking his hand in hers. “I didn’t oversell - I wasn’t too pushy?” “No, you were right there,” she assured him. “Maybe next time,” he said. “Yeah, maybe next time” They kissed.
0
Jul 27, 2023
Jul 27, 2023 at 1:07 PM UTC
pitches
The band was loud, but in the other room and the bar was jammed. He set his drink down a little too hard and it over-sloshed a bit. “Run away with me,” he said, spreading his arms wide, “I’m done with school!” “Well.. you graduated - that’s why you’re done,” she said, somewhat amused. “We share a gravity, you and I - we’re.. we’re like aligned suns,” he romanticized. “You should’ve majored in sales.” she said, sipping her own beer. “Our love is so real, so raw - it's pure and yet - so street.” “We have ‘love cred’?” She asked doubtfully. “Wherever we go, we'll navigate that urban maze, hand in hand, we’ll OWN those concrete streets, we’ll paint our own graffiti! “Have you snorted something?’ “No matter what life throws at us, we’ll face those challenges head-on and we'll stay united.” “Have you been practicing this?” She asked “We’ll swagger,” he said, “our love will be timeless..” “And rhymeless,” she interjected hopefully. “Together, we’ll be urban legends..” he continued. “Like Bonnie and Clyde?” she asked, making a yuck face. “We’ll be living art,” he said dreamily. “Sounds dope.” She admitted. “Then you’ll DO it?” He asked. “Until Monday,” she said, nodding in assent, “classes start on Monday,” she shrugged. “It was worth a shot.” he said stoically, after a moment. “It was a good pitch,’” she said, taking his hand in hers. “I didn’t oversell - I wasn’t too pushy?” “No, you were right there,” she assured him. “Maybe next time,” he said. “Yeah, maybe next time” They kissed.
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27
Bills are scheming with a lightweight check                again. Swear to God they must by          best of friends. And now I'm sitting solo on my couch                again with these 4 walls. They've become parenthetic. It's the same everywhere,                I know. Same for my friends. 'Cuz the loan checks that we're writing won't           pay dividends. We majored in Assumptions, tossed our caps and                then we found new meanings for what's copasetic. Now it's easy... too **** easy... So easy... It's too easy. To wander these same neighborhoods and stay in tiny, ****** apartments when the loose ends of your 20s tangle and you're tied to where you've always been. And I'll never ask for           FOR ANYONE'S HELP. But I still can't take           CARE OF MYSELF. So I'll           COOK MY DINNERS      ON THESE BURNING BILLS and laugh my way to the bank so they can repossess my smile. Days keep blurring through to nightlight gleams,                I know time is racing past but       thoughts are slowed. And I'll be sitting pretty on my couch                alone inside 4 walls because habits are a home. It's the same everywhere,                I know. Same for us all. Late nights and lame jokes we're making           push back walls. We majored in Assumptions, tossed our caps and                all we found were new ways to be pathetic. But it's easy... just too easy... So easy... It's too easy. To stay in soured relationships, stay still in tiny, ****** apartments when the low points of your paychecks dangle while you're trying to climb as high as rent. And we couldn't be in           ANY WORSE HEALTH. And we couldn't be less           FAIR TO OURSELVES but we'll keep on keeping like it's copasetic And we'll never ask for           ANYONE'S HELP. Though we still can't take           CARE OF OURSELVES. So we'll           COOK PLATES OF CROW           ON OUR BURNING BILLS and laugh our way downtown where we can reassess our smiles.
0
Jun 20, 2016
Jun 20, 2016 at 3:27 PM UTC
Collusions
Bills are scheming with a lightweight check                again. Swear to God they must by          best of friends. And now I'm sitting solo on my couch                again with these 4 walls. They've become parenthetic. It's the same everywhere,                I know. Same for my friends. 'Cuz the loan checks that we're writing won't           pay dividends. We majored in Assumptions, tossed our caps and                then we found new meanings for what's copasetic. Now it's easy... too **** easy... So easy... It's too easy. To wander these same neighborhoods and stay in tiny, ****** apartments when the loose ends of your 20s tangle and you're tied to where you've always been. And I'll never ask for           FOR ANYONE'S HELP. But I still can't take           CARE OF MYSELF. So I'll           COOK MY DINNERS      ON THESE BURNING BILLS and laugh my way to the bank so they can repossess my smile. Days keep blurring through to nightlight gleams,                I know time is racing past but       thoughts are slowed. And I'll be sitting pretty on my couch                alone inside 4 walls because habits are a home. It's the same everywhere,                I know. Same for us all. Late nights and lame jokes we're making           push back walls. We majored in Assumptions, tossed our caps and                all we found were new ways to be pathetic. But it's easy... just too easy... So easy... It's too easy. To stay in soured relationships, stay still in tiny, ****** apartments when the low points of your paychecks dangle while you're trying to climb as high as rent. And we couldn't be in           ANY WORSE HEALTH. And we couldn't be less           FAIR TO OURSELVES but we'll keep on keeping like it's copasetic And we'll never ask for           ANYONE'S HELP. Though we still can't take           CARE OF OURSELVES. So we'll           COOK PLATES OF CROW           ON OUR BURNING BILLS and laugh our way downtown where we can reassess our smiles.
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76
You majored in breaking hearts at the university of shattering dreams and **** you got far in there, expert, PhD level, and I was just another research paper in your continuous studies for whatever magazine it is you publish in. I knew I was just a subject ready to be learnt and thrashed after a semester but i remained a hopeless slave. to your thinking of 'credit approved credit forgotten' you remained loyal to the end and once this textbook was read I was sold and you moved on to the next big requirement. and boy I should've listened to those with experience, all those people that'd been broken, the ones that'd raised their voice but I was deaf to their shouts, now I'm nowhere, somehow still enslaved by those phantom white chains you call hands and I can't find the keys. I guess I'm hooked, sick as that is, to your poison, that drug, while some dealt *** you were giving out false love and fake attention, it made me feel like I'd found meaning but it was all a bad trip, I'm an addict to that unknown cause and I was happy to go along with and I abused it and I can't get off the roller coaster feel. The rush is gone replaced with sudden fits of emptiness, my dealer is gone: you're gone, and I'm dissipating away too. I traded everything to be apart of you and you're graduating Magna *** Laude while I'm some random drop out. Well, congratulations and good luck, the future is bright for students like you.
0
Feb 17, 2014
Feb 17, 2014 at 2:50 AM UTC
Tossed aside like last semester's textbook
It's been a little while since I decided since I started telling everyone who asked since I posted it in every corner since I declared my major. But what if I don't want to be a teacher? What if I go off to college, and I suddenly have the courage to do what I didn't want to do before? I'm afraid that it won't work afraid I can't make it work afraid to let go and fall because what if it falls through? All I want to do is music, and yes, I'm minoring in music and honestly I could be a teacher but I'm rethinking that. I know I don't have to go with the career that matches my major, and that I could finish out a teacher's license and then go on to music. But I could be so much more prepared! There's so much more I could do if I majored in Songwriting, Music Performance, or Worship Ministries. What should I do? What can I do? I can take generic classes now, ones that can count for any major, and choose later. But how long can I wait? I'll just have to be patient and wait for His guidance because He knows what I should do.
0
Jun 25, 2015
Jun 25, 2015 at 12:09 PM UTC
Existential Crisis »not a poem«
Honey suckle sweet sky Sun rays blend with your ocean blue Memories & thoughts begin to suffocate me Lyrics & beats drown in my ears As I try and hold back all these tears My favorite line plays in my head “When he put that bottle down, girl that man's amazing” Blackouts and lack of control **** bitter world, anything but social justice Yet, I majored in humanity Due to my insanity What I’d give to take back the time To say goodbye A little closure…damn what a time to die Scar tissue accumulates on my battered heart As I watch you fall beneath the earth I buried you and with it my faith Chaos & fuked up **** everywhere I turn P.O.C.’s working hard, holding on to that false dream To be judged by character, not by color Jr. was a true ideal But still, millions searching for some spare to buy their next meal I’m privileged with books and mentors Doesn’t mean the years of pain and sadness ceased Majored in humanity to find salvation Trying to break free from my personal mummification Inexplicable moments and connections Difficulty letting go of these several relations Too overwhelmed, I can’t even fuken finish expressing emotions
0
Oct 15, 2015
Oct 15, 2015 at 12:24 PM UTC
Societal Feelings
Undress me in rhyme - We talk ***** in haiku "You are a bad girl."- - - - - - - hey, baby you, tiny little mashed potato heartstrings hangin' from a tenderizer enough time has elapsed to where it's appropriate for us to address (what really matters here) (our letters to home) (our letters to each other) road trip checklist numbered 1-49. the last step is to be discovered later. when we lose track of the metric system and need to borrow a cup of sugar, but this is Australia and what, oh what, is a cup? it's bound to happen eventually, is what my mom told me so there'll have to be two kisses, twice for good measure the more lies i feed myself, the smaller i become. is this physics or something else that boy who stood me up majored in? tiny things are your thing - they're mysterious. i could be small enough to dangle from your pinky finger. i could nestle in your eardrum. i could scale the length of your adam's apple. i could hang-glide from the straight line of your not completely evolved forehead. i could go on forever. My favorite memory is when i baked myself into three-ingredient peanut butter cookies. They burned and you lied. You said something so good couldn't be so simple And i said "it takes one to know one."
0
Oct 18, 2014
Oct 18, 2014 at 2:22 AM UTC
myself (and other vices)
on sunday, i sat in our kitchen with my dad as the pale april sunlight streamed in and we watched as the brasilian government held the vote over whether or not to impeach the president dilma rousseff. my brother’s at college, my mom was at work; it was just me and my dad. a family friend told me once that my dad loves his country more than anybody they'd ever met. i remember, we ate apple slices as we watched the government vote on the fate of the country. i am 17 and my dad still slices my apples, cuts my grilled cheese sandwiches into triangles, calls me querida. my dad gestures at the TV, we both talk with our hands a little too much, and tells me that you can tell which way the politicians are voting based of the color they’re wearing. the worker’s party, partido dos trabalhadores, called the PT is wearing red. they're the ones that vote against impeachment, eu voto não. my father marched for that party in the 70s, 80s. they were born of the opposition to the military dictatorship of his childhood. he glares at the TV screen, now, like he’s angry for the promises they broke. the TV in the kitchen is practically a relic, a boxy fourteen inches, older than me. we have a satellite dish in the backyard so we can get globo, the biggest television network in brasil. neighbor kids accidentally chuck their ***** into it, hitting the dish and scrambling over the fence to collect their toys. on the TV, ricardo barros walks up the microphone. he’s a congressman from my family’s home state of paraná. my dad says, “hey, i went to college with him!” they both majored in civil engineering, went to university in maringá. i remember i laughed. my dad knows so many people that he can find acquaintances on the TV. i asked my dad if they were friends. he laughs a little, too, says it depends on how ricardo voted. ricardo voted yes. my father was 7 years old in 1964 when the military took over brasil’s government in a coup. sometimes i wonder if for him this whole thing feels sort of like de ja vu, history repeating with a new face. i don’t ask.
0
Apr 19, 2016
Apr 19, 2016 at 8:13 PM UTC
ordem e progresso
on sunday, i sat in our kitchen with my dad as the pale april sunlight streamed in and we watched as the brasilian government held the vote over whether or not to impeach the president dilma rousseff. my brother’s at college, my mom was at work; it was just me and my dad. a family friend told me once that my dad loves his country more than anybody they'd ever met. i remember, we ate apple slices as we watched the government vote on the fate of the country. i am 17 and my dad still slices my apples, cuts my grilled cheese sandwiches into triangles, calls me querida. my dad gestures at the TV, we both talk with our hands a little too much, and tells me that you can tell which way the politicians are voting based of the color they’re wearing. the worker’s party, partido dos trabalhadores, called the PT is wearing red. they're the ones that vote against impeachment, eu voto não. my father marched for that party in the 70s, 80s. they were born of the opposition to the military dictatorship of his childhood. he glares at the TV screen, now, like he’s angry for the promises they broke. the TV in the kitchen is practically a relic, a boxy fourteen inches, older than me. we have a satellite dish in the backyard so we can get globo, the biggest television network in brasil. neighbor kids accidentally chuck their ***** into it, hitting the dish and scrambling over the fence to collect their toys. on the TV, ricardo barros walks up the microphone. he’s a congressman from my family’s home state of paraná. my dad says, “hey, i went to college with him!” they both majored in civil engineering, went to university in maringá. i remember i laughed. my dad knows so many people that he can find acquaintances on the TV. i asked my dad if they were friends. he laughs a little, too, says it depends on how ricardo voted. ricardo voted yes. my father was 7 years old in 1964 when the military took over brasil’s government in a coup. sometimes i wonder if for him this whole thing feels sort of like de ja vu, history repeating with a new face. i don’t ask.
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14
my education has turned into a competition i never agreed to enter. i don't hate learning, but i hate being taught by teachers who don't care who really just work here so they can coach. everyone says, its preparing you for the real world. so the first 13 years of my education is just a trial run? i don't know what day of the week or month it is, i think in test dates and deadlines. they say you need a good ACT/SAT score to get into a good college. fun fact: only 21% of people work in the area that they majored in. they make it seem like everything is depending on this test. i don't know how much longer i can handle this weight and pressure to perform. i used to be gifted way back when but now i'm not because i wan't continually challenged. i just need to make it through this semester, then it'll be over for a couple months, then the cycle will start again...
0
Sep 8, 2018
Sep 8, 2018 at 6:53 PM UTC
high school
She majored in English, studying Chaucer and breaking down Yeats. Surrounding herself with words, words, words- Hers and everyone else’s. Perhaps she should have majored in something more useful like “World Peace” or “Apocalypse Evasion”? I guess she’ll just have to make do with those words, words, words- Hers and everyone else’s.
0
Aug 22, 2014
Aug 22, 2014 at 7:42 PM UTC
on second thought...
I remember the first time you tried to love me; You, in your Audrey Hepburn dress, Who I told you I found quite attractive. We ate Italian, because, like me, you like Italian. You fed me an analysis of symbolism of Murakami That I thought I read off of Google. And you wore red lipstick because that’s What classy women who fall in love wear. Your eyes were a clouded amber, And your hair dyed jet black, like my ex. You want to travel to Barcelona, Spain, Where my public Facebook pictures show I was. And this planet’s too big, and this town too small Not to have wanderlust, you say. Your favorite season’s winter. Because you love winter landscapes, Like the snowflake wallpaper on my phone. I call you everyday. I remember the second time you tried to love me; You, in your blue dress, Which I told you was my favorite color. (It’s yours too.) You talked about the latest in deep space explorations A week after I shared my moon photographs. And isn’t NASA fascinating? You told me about a movie you saw, By my favorite director. You dreamed of traveling the Nile and seeing Egyptian pyramids. And you loved the smell of coffee, Which I smelled like on our first date. Your blonde roots are showing. I didn’t call you back. I remember the first time you loved me; You wore purple because that’s your favorite color. And we got breakfast because you love breakfast foods, Not Italian. You drank water; coffee makes you sick. You pointed to some lilies because you love that flower. And you told me you didn’t think Gatsby really loved Daisy Because she was a reflection of all the things he wanted; He was just pretending to be something To impress her, you say. And this wasn’t something I found off of Google. And you mentioned how you never wanted to travel, Except by boat, Because airplanes are terrifying. You hated dresses and how thick makeup feels on your face. And NASA is interesting, but you’d rather explore the earth. You were living with me then. I remember the last time I loved you; I tried finding cruise ships so we could travel To Germany because you don’t really care for Spain or Egypt. And I researched German alcohols because that’s what you liked. And I wore red because you liked how it brought my eyes to life. I talked about how fascinating ocean life is Because you majored in Marine Biology, not Film, Like you told me on our first date. Murakami has dust; I read Thoreau. Your eyes are cerulean, Completely unlike the dark amber of the coffee I don’t drink. And you’re gone. Just like the man who liked Murakami and Italian food. But I’d sell moonshine for you, sure.
0
Nov 8, 2017
Nov 8, 2017 at 1:18 PM UTC
gatsby and moonshine and NASA
I remember the first time you tried to love me; You, in your Audrey Hepburn dress, Who I told you I found quite attractive. We ate Italian, because, like me, you like Italian. You fed me an analysis of symbolism of Murakami That I thought I read off of Google. And you wore red lipstick because that’s What classy women who fall in love wear. Your eyes were a clouded amber, And your hair dyed jet black, like my ex. You want to travel to Barcelona, Spain, Where my public Facebook pictures show I was. And this planet’s too big, and this town too small Not to have wanderlust, you say. Your favorite season’s winter. Because you love winter landscapes, Like the snowflake wallpaper on my phone. I call you everyday. I remember the second time you tried to love me; You, in your blue dress, Which I told you was my favorite color. (It’s yours too.) You talked about the latest in deep space explorations A week after I shared my moon photographs. And isn’t NASA fascinating? You told me about a movie you saw, By my favorite director. You dreamed of traveling the Nile and seeing Egyptian pyramids. And you loved the smell of coffee, Which I smelled like on our first date. Your blonde roots are showing. I didn’t call you back. I remember the first time you loved me; You wore purple because that’s your favorite color. And we got breakfast because you love breakfast foods, Not Italian. You drank water; coffee makes you sick. You pointed to some lilies because you love that flower. And you told me you didn’t think Gatsby really loved Daisy Because she was a reflection of all the things he wanted; He was just pretending to be something To impress her, you say. And this wasn’t something I found off of Google. And you mentioned how you never wanted to travel, Except by boat, Because airplanes are terrifying. You hated dresses and how thick makeup feels on your face. And NASA is interesting, but you’d rather explore the earth. You were living with me then. I remember the last time I loved you; I tried finding cruise ships so we could travel To Germany because you don’t really care for Spain or Egypt. And I researched German alcohols because that’s what you liked. And I wore red because you liked how it brought my eyes to life. I talked about how fascinating ocean life is Because you majored in Marine Biology, not Film, Like you told me on our first date. Murakami has dust; I read Thoreau. Your eyes are cerulean, Completely unlike the dark amber of the coffee I don’t drink. And you’re gone. Just like the man who liked Murakami and Italian food. But I’d sell moonshine for you, sure.
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63
My mother’s second cousin went to a fine university, majored in anthropology, and wore Italian wingtips and a black fedora pulled down rakishly over one eye. I hear he was a handsome man. He joined Toastmasters and spoke extemporaneously to small crowds of strangers. He packed a leatherette bag and went bowling every other Sunday night. He took his children camping and taught them to catch a fire with magnesium and tinder. He mowed the lawn with lapidary precision; neighbors admired his yard: brilliant green, sharp as an emerald. He played the spinet piano in the hallway after dinner, the metronome clicking out time. His black suits— immaculate skins of a domesticated creature—smelled of cigarette smoke and fountain pen ink. But, according to my mother, something went wrong along the way. He began to hunger for something that clawed just beyond the evenly trimmed hedgerows. He smiled at night, listening to malevolent creatures leaping from rooftop to rooftop. He began to hate his wife’s brown dresses: *brown is the color of compromise*, he seethed to himself. His voice became quieter; bowling became a bother. Eventually, he left his fedora hanging on the coat rack in the hall. His neglected wingtips gathered dust in the bedroom closet. The pockets of his favorite suits swelled with cryptic notes, written to himself with stolen fountain pens. One night, when the children were sleeping, he set the table and killed his wife with a spoon. I hear he was a handsome man.
0
Oct 4, 2016
Oct 4, 2016 at 10:37 AM UTC
Killer Story (Part One)
My mother’s second cousin went to a fine university, majored in anthropology, and wore Italian wingtips and a black fedora pulled down rakishly over one eye. I hear he was a handsome man. He joined Toastmasters and spoke extemporaneously to small crowds of strangers. He packed a leatherette bag and went bowling every other Sunday night. He took his children camping and taught them to catch a fire with magnesium and tinder. He mowed the lawn with lapidary precision; neighbors admired his yard: brilliant green, sharp as an emerald. He played the spinet piano in the hallway after dinner, the metronome clicking out time. His black suits— immaculate skins of a domesticated creature—smelled of cigarette smoke and fountain pen ink. But, according to my mother, something went wrong along the way. He began to hunger for something that clawed just beyond the evenly trimmed hedgerows. He smiled at night, listening to malevolent creatures leaping from rooftop to rooftop. He began to hate his wife’s brown dresses: *brown is the color of compromise*, he seethed to himself. His voice became quieter; bowling became a bother. Eventually, he left his fedora hanging on the coat rack in the hall. His neglected wingtips gathered dust in the bedroom closet. The pockets of his favorite suits swelled with cryptic notes, written to himself with stolen fountain pens. One night, when the children were sleeping, he set the table and killed his wife with a spoon. I hear he was a handsome man.
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54
How do you do it? You know, make me float Leave me on a life raft and swim for the nearest island There are none on the horizon Your arms glisten in the same light that evaporates me slowly I majored in philosophy I’m troubled by the things that I see Been a month since we left the atoll The sun is setting and it’s getting harder to make out Your form as I float with the current I’ve run out of things to write about in this journal But most importantly I’ve run out of hope The universe checks its reflection and doesn’t notice us, Flecks of dust on the surface of this dessert mirror Light is falling
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Nov 5, 2014
Nov 5, 2014 at 10:30 PM UTC
Still Blue
I am the eight point eight percent aluminum in the earth’s crust, crumbling beneath blonde conversation My mind sweeps the memories under its dungeon’s heavy entrance again A broom made of abrasion Mint lily pads placid on the soft surface of sea we hopped across like infant frogs while the sky poured boxed sangria and tied cherry stems but you wouldn’t know, you hide inside under blankets knit of thick wool probably crimson like the scarlet creases of your chapped lips that once stained the wine glass with the evil eye charm on Friday nights and ate up midnight with fleeting thoughts and heart-to-hearts Awaken to blonde dialog Ruffled lashes blink lovingly beneath sleepy sheets I love those lashes, you know Painted with the sight of a similar prescription purposely gripping my throat and handcuffing me to the tiny poppy pores of your aura I will give you permission to bleed onto my skin for as long as you need I’ll kiss your sweet pink cheek, feed you flower petals and their sister leaves green It seemed too dark inside your mouth to see when you were choking on a tiny stick with smiley face candy Lost within deep concrete caves and living for the dirt underneath my leather toes which allow me still to dance my legs found gold forgotten in their apricot flesh grazing fuzz across your breath Buzzing south on your tongue to pull out the innocence Sinking, sulking, suffering curling like a scissor kissing ribbon tell me again, what’s that lipstick pigment you wear? what is that language you’ve majored in? Lately I have had no taste buds left to peel off and place on your blonde tongue
0
May 17, 2016
May 17, 2016 at 1:34 PM UTC
Rossetto
I am the eight point eight percent aluminum in the earth’s crust, crumbling beneath blonde conversation My mind sweeps the memories under its dungeon’s heavy entrance again A broom made of abrasion Mint lily pads placid on the soft surface of sea we hopped across like infant frogs while the sky poured boxed sangria and tied cherry stems but you wouldn’t know, you hide inside under blankets knit of thick wool probably crimson like the scarlet creases of your chapped lips that once stained the wine glass with the evil eye charm on Friday nights and ate up midnight with fleeting thoughts and heart-to-hearts Awaken to blonde dialog Ruffled lashes blink lovingly beneath sleepy sheets I love those lashes, you know Painted with the sight of a similar prescription purposely gripping my throat and handcuffing me to the tiny poppy pores of your aura I will give you permission to bleed onto my skin for as long as you need I’ll kiss your sweet pink cheek, feed you flower petals and their sister leaves green It seemed too dark inside your mouth to see when you were choking on a tiny stick with smiley face candy Lost within deep concrete caves and living for the dirt underneath my leather toes which allow me still to dance my legs found gold forgotten in their apricot flesh grazing fuzz across your breath Buzzing south on your tongue to pull out the innocence Sinking, sulking, suffering curling like a scissor kissing ribbon tell me again, what’s that lipstick pigment you wear? what is that language you’ve majored in? Lately I have had no taste buds left to peel off and place on your blonde tongue
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52
Theresa's Quote:* "To the black hairstylist: Again, I will say that you are a blessing to these women and a blessing to this hair. Black hair is a heaven-sent gift that helps black women keep their heads held high in public." I prefer the black wig B1; it suits my complexion and looks convincing. This is about her internship in Washington, D.C. During her college years, her health fluctuated. She spent two weeks traveling from Maryland to the city, all while searching for a place to park her car. Before boarding a train to Washington, she majored in political science. Some stories are best left untold, but not this one. It eagerly reveals itself through my poetic sense of humor. Poetry writing is not only about rhythm and rhyme; it can serve as a voice of reason, a therapy session, and a means of soul-searching as our fingers work their magic. A Black woman’s hair is often viewed as off-limits to outsiders. Her numerous wigs are her crown and glory. Her extensions tightly squeeze her natural hair, which she ignores for the sake of beauty. Even with a low-paying job, she carries herself with grace. Even if it means using the same wig repeatedly, she secures the B1 bob cut with bobby pins. On that Friday afternoon, her school credits were on her mind. Her career path and every little thing weighed heavily on her thoughts. Even her romantic life took a backseat. As she headed toward her car in the parking lot, she searched for her keys in her bag, thinking of ways to beat the bumper-to-bumper traffic back in Maryland. As she opened her car door, she noticed a well-dressed man in the adjacent car watching her. He looked attractive, and her instincts kicked in. Was he checking her out or being creepy? She offered him a faint smile. Just as she was about to get in, her bobbed wig fell to the ground, exposing her messy natural hair. Embarrassed, she quickly picked it up and closed her door, silently asking herself, "What just happened? Why did my wig let me down?" Second chances seldom come along.
0
Mar 7, 2025
Mar 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM UTC
B1 Wigs In Black
Theresa's Quote:* "To the black hairstylist: Again, I will say that you are a blessing to these women and a blessing to this hair. Black hair is a heaven-sent gift that helps black women keep their heads held high in public." I prefer the black wig B1; it suits my complexion and looks convincing. This is about her internship in Washington, D.C. During her college years, her health fluctuated. She spent two weeks traveling from Maryland to the city, all while searching for a place to park her car. Before boarding a train to Washington, she majored in political science. Some stories are best left untold, but not this one. It eagerly reveals itself through my poetic sense of humor. Poetry writing is not only about rhythm and rhyme; it can serve as a voice of reason, a therapy session, and a means of soul-searching as our fingers work their magic. A Black woman’s hair is often viewed as off-limits to outsiders. Her numerous wigs are her crown and glory. Her extensions tightly squeeze her natural hair, which she ignores for the sake of beauty. Even with a low-paying job, she carries herself with grace. Even if it means using the same wig repeatedly, she secures the B1 bob cut with bobby pins. On that Friday afternoon, her school credits were on her mind. Her career path and every little thing weighed heavily on her thoughts. Even her romantic life took a backseat. As she headed toward her car in the parking lot, she searched for her keys in her bag, thinking of ways to beat the bumper-to-bumper traffic back in Maryland. As she opened her car door, she noticed a well-dressed man in the adjacent car watching her. He looked attractive, and her instincts kicked in. Was he checking her out or being creepy? She offered him a faint smile. Just as she was about to get in, her bobbed wig fell to the ground, exposing her messy natural hair. Embarrassed, she quickly picked it up and closed her door, silently asking herself, "What just happened? Why did my wig let me down?" Second chances seldom come along.
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11