"vicks" poems
Here, on the flatlands
I was put in my place.
formed and pressed
into their neat and presumably safe little box.
It's all they knew.
It is so hard to think of them as once children themselves,
formed and pressed.
Formed from a different time, with different conformists.
There are no manuals when we are born,
you get leftover instructions from previous pipe fitters.
Agrarian raised, like grain fed beef.
Complete with the fears and habits of bygone generations.
I leave one bite of each item on my plate,
with just enough drink to wash it all down.
I have done that as long as I can remember.
I want the whole candy bar, rather than just a bite.
Pressed and formed my Father saves.
He saves twist ties from bread bags.
He saves old welcome mats, and garage door openers.
He buys in bulk, and has two deep freezers full.
Full of freezer burn, tasteless, barely nutritious,
neatly formed and pressed portions of frozen in time Salisbury steak.
It is as if he himself would like to be frozen in time.
He is a depressionite child.
In the basement there is an old dresser that he found at a yard sale.
He painted it a hideous green,
but it has a formed and pressed neat white little doily on top.
In the top drawer there are various expired drugstore items,
some dating as far back as 35 years ago.
"You never know when you might need something in there."
Expired aspirin that has broken down into powder and smells of vinegar.
Vicks Vaporub, in the pretty blue glass jar, that is dried up and orderless.
All brand new and have never been opened.
Formed and pressed neatly in their little containers.
I watch these molders of my life slowly pass away,
becoming neatly formed and packed into their aging corner of the world,
neatly formed and packed into a stereotypical old folks home.
Forgotten, in the way, slow, aching.
Soon all they will have will be memories.
Soon all they will need will be memories.
Neatly formed and packed in their aging minds.
And then, like a comet that has shuttled through space
for thousands of years, millions of years,
they will burn out and fade into dust.
And their whole lives
will be neatly formed and packed
away,
in a trunk
in the attic,
to be opened like a time capsule,
at a later date.
the result of a week with my 94 yr old Parents
May 21, 2013
May 21, 2013 at 4:32 AM UTC
You shuffle in
from the kitchen
half stooped over
under the cover
of your nightgown.
Dry lips smeared with Vaseline set in a lazy frown.
Stinking of Vicks vapourub
and oxtail soup steaming from your favorite mug.
Eyelids heavy and more than a little dozy.
Hand reaching for a *** of tissue to blow your dribbling nosy.
With the mug in position you slump on the sofa
propped up with pillows, I've no choice but to move over.
Despite the max level of the central heating
I can see you are still shivering.
A fit of coughing erupts, raw and bone rattling.
There's a wheeze to each breath of your laboured breathing.
Moments pass and then comes the first snore
like an animal staking claim to its **** with a roar.
I carefully remove the mug and fallen tissue
Softly I kiss your forehead and whisper, “Get well soon. I love you.”
Dec 10, 2014
Dec 10, 2014 at 8:11 PM UTC
Am E G
Turn it down.
Am E G
There's no time to clown around.
Em G
Don't spill any beer,
Em G (G string bass note, and strummed chord x3)
And pass another can over here.
Am E G
Make Up Your mind.
Am. E G
Do.. you want to find God?
Em G
I've seen his face
Em G. (G string bass note, and strummed chord x3)
He's breathing hard, like a runner in a race.
Am E G
Turn off the light
Am E G
Its time to say goodnight.
Em G
The roads are all clear,
Em G (G string bass note, and strummed chord x3)
And we haven't got a care.
C. G
Get..... Ready...
C G
And pack... your bags...
C G
You're in.... for the best trip...
C G (G string bass note, and strummed chord x3)
Of...your life.
Am E G
I...... can't go on this way
Am E G
Each and every ******* day
Em G
I think I need some-one
Em G (G string bass note, and strummed chord x3)
To help show.. me... the way
Aug 19, 2012
Aug 19, 2012 at 7:12 AM UTC
Coughing up the phlegm
I've come to realize, this big surprise
no longer can I keep it to myself
Stuff like this can grow inside the body
and it's snotty
but you need to know the facts now for yourself.
and if the sputum's yellow,
be assured that it is viral
but can spiral
into something worse
a curse or so they say
so take the time to rest
and yes,
drink water and some juice
and for a boost,
vitamin C, 1000 mgs
just twice a day.
and by all means
take your cold to Walgreen, Eckerts, CVS, or Rite Aid,
where there's medicines that might aid and I might add
many brands that you can choose from~
Robitussin stops your fussin'
Advil Sinus for your highness,
by and far my favored Nyquil night-time
is the stuff I get my snooze from
if you've got a fever and it's green
you're infected, should be seen
do not delay if it is grey
or other colors of the day
because these bugs are nasty
downright mean!
cozy up with Vicks upon your chest
mentholatum tends to clear the passage best
a little dab will also do
beneath the nares it is true
external balms and lotions help you rest.
a clean humidifier by the bed
keeps the moisture in your tissues
and that said
keep a box of Kleenex near
the softest kind will feel most dear
and place your favorite pillow 'neath your head.
It's good to keep some chicken soup on hand
it's value has been known throughout the land
keep the heat on, be a ***** and
and crack the window just a pinch
and try to sleep as much as you can stand.
in time you will recover from this hell
your symptoms will subside and you can tell
but be sure to keep your guard up,
avoid crowds
and don't be hard up,
just insist they keep their distance,
and stay well!
Sep 24, 2013
Sep 24, 2013 at 9:44 AM UTC
Take away the pills, I have more.
Oh im not good enough?
Just look at my sister, flithy *****
So iv developed a few new habits,
Poppin pills, and alcohol. Might as well start lookin for caskets.
They think I do this to numb the pain,
What they dont know is im tryin to remember what it feels like...
Kissing her in the rain.
Last thing I saw before I was tied to this hospital bed, was the last drop of jim beam and the tree branch next to my head.
It's 3 a.m. And I just want to sleep,
Grasping for my pills
These rope burns hurt my feet.
Drugged out prince is what they call me
More like broke loser
Begging to be set free...
May 5, 2016
May 5, 2016 at 5:31 AM UTC
February 14th
the most overrated day
all cards and candy.
so ******* cliche.
but big companies love it
they think it's the ****
turning a simple day about love into
buy me this! buy me this!
******* hallmark and Hershey and flowers.com
and Vicks Secret think all the money is the bomb
but still we shell out millions and break our collars
only 85% of the time is there sincerity behind the dollars
Love is beautiful, it should be celebrated daily, not once a year
Everyday you should show you care not just so they'll find something **** to wear
so **** Valentine's, **** hallmark, **** cards and candy,
and if I'm single forever for saying this, well that's fine and dandy
Feb 8, 2015
Feb 8, 2015 at 3:41 AM UTC
Ravers:
I blame
Vicks Vapour Rub
and
Altern-8
for everything.
Mar 13, 2014
Mar 13, 2014 at 12:02 PM UTC
Hot Durban nights.
Naked in the pool.
The Blue Waters.
Ebbing.
Next door, my grandfather tried to hold on to. His wife. Thirsty for oxygen. As I slide off the tilting roof, holding its water as it cast me off.
Into the nearby sea.
You muffled my coughs. The taste of Vicks still won't leave my mouth. But it's one of my fondest memories.
(By the bar where the Rwandan directors smoked dope.
Late night discussions the foolish call art.)
You, me and &*^%.
Your tattoos and little *******
I thought were perfect.
Modelled after martinis we'd never drink.
(My broken phone kept calling Kote.
Kote panicked with this unknown.
Suspicious of coups.)
The hand cloth towel slipped off your body.
The pool water dripping onto the sheets.
(Our saviour in the township on that night we tempted fate, re-enacting rapes, the terrifying 12 left us, and her girlfriend tried to kiss me, alone in the car)
You walked into my hotel room.
Fourth floor.
You took the bible from the draw.
Fourth floor.
You threw it with a flick.
Fourth floor.
Then you ****** my
Fourth floor
And I fell
Fourth floor
asleep.
Feb 23, 2016
Feb 23, 2016 at 1:33 AM UTC
my mom likes to entertain scenarios
of how her life would’ve been
sans my father
_lilah and riley wouldn’t have been here_
she raises her eyebrows in disbelief
of the life she’s stuck with
_you would’ve had a stepdad and a new step mom_
_crazy_.
divided household and i would’ve
met you still
but not’ve known you..
a boy i knew until i was in 4th grade
maybe weeks on and weeks off at my moms to dads would’ve spared me
from your routine heartbreaks you graciously offer me with a ribbon on top in my
favorite color-
brown
maybe if i had 4 parents they would they have taken me to do my hair when they found out about my
first boyfriend,
curls sizzled to pin straight strands like strained love ties,
the 2 houses glowing as if
it was Christmas
and the 3 magi would be different this time-
in the form of middle aged hispanic women
offering advice on how to make him
immovable
completely entranced with my 14 year old being
wrapped around my nail-bitten-to-the-nub finger
_siempre joo need to wear perfumé_
the first one said
_always wax joo eyebrows y joo piernas- no man likes a hairy girl- es
disgusted_
the second broke down
her neck & nose was shiny with vicks
the third eyeing my from across the room
disappointed i turned down
the idea of brujería
Jul 15, 2019
Jul 15, 2019 at 5:13 PM UTC
Just Venting....
I feel stagnant and fear has become my magnet. I'm tired of him and he's tired of me. He continuously drains me of my positive energy.
In just a few moments like I was counting from 1 to 3.
And just like that we went from Ecstacy to agony.
I feel everything from everyone and yet from my own feelings I feel Numb.
my heartbreaks, with every breath that I take..... my struggles....., my fears......, and doubt's shout! They are more bold now than ever.
I swear you're just like a pill instead of making me better you keep making me spiritually ill.
I wish my Empathic ways would turn off and go numb so that my heart and soul could no no long feel.
Yet and still, I trust my intuitional forceful power inside of me to know what I feel Is real.
Because that's one of the powers given to me by the God of Israel.
So Tell me Is it my peace and happiness you are here to steal?
As you Leave me empty like a cup that needs a refill.
And Your words beat me like I am Emitt Till until your energy becomes a ****** weapon licensed to ****
Ha! Ha ! Ha ! You must get a thrill
About how you make me feel
you leave me broken with blood pouring on the ground like red juice from From a cup that leaves behind a stained spill.
Some call it a relationship but I called it a situation ship because the only time we can relate is when we situate our feelings long enough to ride the lustful seas with our maghony ships flowing from the currents between our hips.
Then once that's over again you have the nerves to abuse me from the fruit of your lips
And like fool I continuously drink your poison as I entrancingly take sips.
While as writing this did you sneak and poke holes and then dip? Because this is the sound of a sinking ship.
Until the death of me, will have you strangled like A MC on the mic that ***** grips ready to spit their rhymes ever so slick.
Weighing heavy on your soul like the Weight of a thousand bricks.
Making you feel so sick
You'll be needing some Vicks
And things in your mind will begin click
As the memories of me will beat your brain blow by blow with every single lick.
Remembering when you called me B**h and that I will never be sht
the words and images of how you treated me will haunt you like how that ghost is watching you in as it sits
As the time passes and the clock just ticks.........
Mar 15, 2017
Mar 15, 2017 at 12:46 AM UTC
I reached my hands into the pockets of my thrifts store jeans and pulled back another woman's trash, her ailments.
As her Halls wrapper crinkled in my fingers I contemplated her struggles.
Drowning in a sea of chamomile tea and honey trying to inhale the sent of Vicks vapor rub over the smell of stale bed sheets and wilted flowers.
Was her path so different from mine?
Did she kneel in her wine stained carpet to watch her life move around her?
Apr 8, 2018
Apr 8, 2018 at 7:25 PM UTC
Returning with
A plastic bag and
Speckled with the rain
She hears the click
Of the door behind you
And you take off your coat
The patter of her feet
And she slides down the hall
In her favorite fuzzy socks
To greet you with a warm hug
And the smell of Vicks
That will never go away
And you don’t forget
To put water in the soup
(At least this time)
And the kettle whistles
And she mimics it from
The other room
The world is warm
In front of the television
With your favorite movie
Sending changing colors
Across your faces
And her mug of lemon tea
Sep 19, 2018
Sep 19, 2018 at 11:59 AM UTC
tender childhood piraguas
pinchos
borinquen place
bbqs on the sidewalk
ice from the dollar store
gleaming on our necks till the
skin glows green
knee scrapes
Vicks to solve all
problems thoobies and
missing bobby pins under
rugs a neighborhood i’ve never-
yet always known, a glimpse of it and
it takes me back the cousin
always spiking my
Malta the **** that never
leaves the kitchen the smaller
cousins that lived in the park around
the block
the older cousin
that was always on
the phone with a different
boy, and kept a blanket over
the body mirror and refused to
explain why, we’d get a
shipment from our
family de la isla
mangoes
aguacates and
quenepas fly out
the box while everyone
calls dibs and _i’m home._
Aug 15, 2019
Aug 15, 2019 at 7:18 PM UTC
to my little brother:
my hands have rested
on plenty of backs and
never knew the
way a spine could feel like a
hundred mountains,
carrying me home,
until i was
smothering vicks
vaporub
when you got
the flu
Feb 9, 2018
Feb 9, 2018 at 11:23 PM UTC