bard in the wings/pimp/aria/nicki/their first time - jnana hodson

BARD IN THE WINGS

The cabby to the airport
would soon be teaching dramatics
though he hates Shakespeare.

In the event
of emotion discomfort
please use bag.

An airplane far below
was a crucifix stalled in place
as the world moves.

We entered
and then left
through different states.


PIMP

most despicable of men
twists a girl’s need
puts her on the street
and dope in her veins
reduces her to bones
devours her flesh
in three fast years
and takes the profit

the tribal lord:
the women work


ARIA

A love poem?
Look!
The sirens!

NICKI

How could your hair be as thick and as beautiful
as the arms of a large kelp floating through the office?

I imagined brain-waves from a waterfall
when you spoke with such maturity.

How furiously in those dreams
you returned my passion.

The boss’ daughter, so full of scorn,
would be water crashing on rocks the next day.

THEIR FIRST TIME

Thinking of her the day after, wondering
if she was holding true to tradition.

The regret, the epithet. He had no way
of knowing how valid they were.

In the rapture, the promise
she’d be true, anew.



Jnana celebrates a long list of American symphonic composers. He blogs at Jnana’s Red Barn (jnanahodson.net)

welcome, quinn & merrily, noelle - Jnana Hodson

WELCOME, QUINN

remember after two months racing highway construction crew deadlines your Indian dig crew unearthed an infant’s grave that justified the stall but nightfall forced departure and returning the next morning, you discovered the skull smashed, bones scattered across drunken greed, ignorance, or hatred that strikes repeatedly, yes, the repeated sound, as you relay it Take care 

MERRILY, NOELLE

what news you published, contorting that instant, overcome with discomfort, a whirl as alert as any orchestra as that last confused and perplexing note confirms coyly your reckless addiction to lost causes, frankly in retrospect, it really didn’t take hours to start your obligating my leap without a job I’d subscribe to, oh, yes, the lifeblood we identify when you demand a reply, there simply isn’t enough time in two days for whatever prevented your return to the meetinghouse that weekend

 Jnana celebrates a long list of American symphonic composers. He blogs at Jnana’s Red Barn (jnanahodson.net)