there is a reason you are in cleveland and i am not

there is a reason that you are in cleveland and i am not

i would ask you to marry me and even though in my fantasy i give you no choice

you would say no and i would go out of my ever lovin’ mind

and of course you would be right, your poetry is smarter than mine

and you’re always right. you’re always right about everything

because you see things in a proud black woman’s eyes that have reason to fight

fight on to win a new day in the face of prejudism that presents itself in a way only you know

and how could i be right?

this pasty white country bumpkin

sitting on a hay bale the size of a volkswagen beetle

i wonder sometimes how it would feel to lower your rhymes

and kiss every line that you’ve ever written

i would never misuse your name while i said goodbye to my family

all because a handful of your pretty poems made it to me on free-fare airwaves

and touched me

but you can’t be right about how they make me feel

after all, how could you be, how could you really know... really

it would be like trying to taste yourself on my lips

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

What a ripper of a poem. I enjoyed the subtle jibes, the opening of your thoughts knowing too well the reply. Great stuff!

[Cobblestone Traveler]

I really connected to this. A deep sense of longing and frustration. My favorite line is "and kiss every line that you’ve ever written". I can really relate to this poem, and I appreciate the raw emotion displayed. Excellent work!

[Matching Socks]

Star crossed lovers, with huge obstacles. Distance being one of them. And the longing and the love.
Ugh... Make me want to cry!

[Ed Hart]

i'm new to your work, and deeply appreciate it...these last few poems (at least) are addressed to some private 'you', but publicly, as poets do, and with such art and heart, that even the sad distance of it, is a pleasure to read, because so many of us know the space

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this poem. Felt like a old timer song. Wishing for things we want and do not need.The great description took the reader with you in your words. Thank you my friend for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote