Graduating Speeches

It's a war out there, in the rain.  Streaking bleach in the sky,

while bundled in trinkets, hoping the car windows are up.

We've traveled far enough to learn a thing or two about it,

but little else, now that you mention it.

When Katie brags there's nothing to do around here without

getting your hands dirty, I can't help but question her motives.

The seams within her are splitting like hairs, and I cannot stress

enough the importance of stature in a place like this.

When you've got less windows than doors, it's tough to see

where you're going, and where that hard rain's coming from.

But that doesn't mean buses have it made, of course.

Don't take adages so seriously.

And while you're at it, don't look anything in the mouth --

it'll come back to haunt you if you believe in that sort.

It's a war out there, one leg at a time.  And it'll sweep you

off your feet, in a place like this.

-[m]

When We Were Hungry

When the water had run out

we turned to the tea kettle

a miracle!

it was still full

from when we drank tea

and rolled cigarettes 

on the porch the other morning

we boiled the water again

waited for the blue bird

perched on the spout 

to whistle

and when it did

we poured the water into cups

and poured the water from the cups

into each others hands

and from our hands

the water washed our faces

and there was even a full cup left

to pour over our toothbrushes

then we went for a walk

it was still sunny

we smiled at each other

we held hands

maybe one of us whistled 

because we were so lucky

luckier than most 

even when we were hungry.

...

(k)

Vomit-Colored Clouds

I stopped loving thunder storms

when I ran out of roofs and awnings.

It's amazing how little

we consider gutters

a means of protection.

All that water channeling,

funneling, trading places,

I can lose sight

of the sewer drains

that allow me to

not smell my

own shit,

and the shit of others.

-[m]