we hurried
through dinner
left dishes soaking
pre-execution show
six central
sure to be good
hostile - violent
repeat offender
killed entire
family in their
sleep
crimes scenes
on highlights
sure enough
he kicked
screamed
all the way
to the table
great last speech
hate filled
with threats
claims - of innocence
fought the straps
until final seizure
recent ones were
quiet
calm
critics charged
drugging
this should
boost ratings
quick bathroom break
eight o’clock
large strafing
planned in Jalalbad
body count high
we love sweeps week
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Irony
For Leigh Washburn
devout, Muslim friend
who knows me well
well enough to know
I'm a practicing
Mahayana Buddhist
sent a Christmas card
the front a picture
of a stained glass
Mary and Joseph
the Christ child
'Silent Night,
Holy Night'
the inside says
"May the wonders
and the blessings of this
Holy Season
remain in your heart
throughout the coming year."
nice sentiments
Islam and Buddhist
alike can get behind
"wonders and blessings"
I think
but should we
carouse this way
in a third-party's
neighborhood?
on the back of the card
it was made in China...
probably by some nice
Buddhist ladies
from the adjacent village.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Godmaker
For Dr. H. Ibrahim Salih
parades banquets
mark achievements
bronze plaques
for our glorious leaders
yet none notice
the quiet lyceum
where enigmatic
craftsman
far from home
forms models from
lowly earth
chisel against
ingrained foible
buff flaws from
marble patina
wings for a Mercury
bow for a Diana
sculpts with
keen eye
impassioned hand
joined by fiery drive
to engrave an eternal
message on
this transitory vessel
efforts never
attributed to this
unknown
Titan who
chips away that
which is not god
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Looking for Mr. Good Frog
Introducing herself
by first name
in meeting
of other hollowed-eyed
gaunt jittery
princesses
an epiphany
hands wart strewn
dry, cracked shook
as she spoke
depicted descent
slow sliding
first frog
then one frog – at a time
diseases passed
by low-rent amphibians
job loss - swamp trekking
family intervention
feverish need
just one more press
of lips
one more plunge
into euphoric possibility
perpetual lure
another life wrecked
senseless victim
of enchanted excesses
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| Copyright 2006-2010 Michelle Hartman. All rights reserved. Site designed and maintained by Wes' Web Works. |
Publishing Credits: San Pedro River Review California State University - San Bernardino Apparatus Magazine Dos Gatos Press The SHOp (Skeagh, Ireland) Yellow Mama Houston Poetry Fest Journal Mirror Dance RiverSedge Barbaric Yawp Incarnate Muse Press |