Wrote this poem on Friday morning when I felt fine... then was stomach-sick all weekend. Draw your own conclusions about the power of a poem, my friends, and choose your metaphors with care!  Ooof.

Indigestion
 
When I was young
I ate the world
and felt fine
in the morning
I was happy
with strong teeth
I never flossed
I wore no glasses
unaware of what
I could not see.
Now I wear glasses
and I read the world
it does a number
on my gut
and everything’s
in pain.

Magellan
 
Can’t write with
these old words
in this new land
I am Magellan
got my compass and
some drunk untested math
choking on salt water
charging boldly over
churning warning seas
dark waves curl
like ribbons
through a mermaid’s hair
while I admired her beauty
my words went swimming off
to where they felt more safe
so I stand without them
naked on this beach
there are no church bells here
I move my lips to kiss
and call this kiss a psalm
this is how new language
will begin
and like Magellan
who kept heading out to sea
no longer does my old world
feel like home


Gypsy Dreams
 
Thinking I could hear your drums
crawled out my bedroom window
with a knapsack and a knife
I ran with thirst, I drank too many stars
then passed out with five wolves
beneath a tree, and wondered
if I dressed myself in furs
could I trick you into thinking
I was brave enough to dance
with your wild tribe?