Poetry2

Harmless-Looking Plastic Handle

Mom said "stay away from the phone" but i did not listen to her. I grabbed that Harmless-looking plastic handle the Minute she was gone. I dialed the Simple numbers and A speaker said "Hello" And we talked and talked and talked and Unsuspected was I as The phone began to wrap its coils About me. Waist then legs then Back up again. On I talked and On it wrapped - Around my neck My mouth still opening and closing. Then it began to squeeze... Slightly at first Then tighter and tighter as My mouth began to dry. I gasped for air... Tighter its coils became Tighter around me. The phone Began to suck on my ear. Slowly and softly, then harder And harder Pulling at my ear Trying as if to make My ear and it as one. Tighter the coils - Harder it sucked - I fought to Stay alive. Pulling at its coils - Pulling at the handle - Then it came to me... And I hung up the phone.

Coils limp, I crawled out Alive.

- K.C. 1991

Venice

Where there are wise, aged buildings that have seen the years pass- There stands a young couple on a stone-charmed bridge. The waters that flow under Are tickled by the sight Of the young and the old And the learned and the innocent.

- K.C. 1999

Ode to the Little Mermaid

Oh Little Mermaid - Where have you gone? Your white foam teases At the edge of the sea. You're falling away... You're drawing away... You're losing your hold... On that slippery sandy shore. You're retreating... Retreating... Retreating - Back into that deep and powerful sea. (Not he, no, not he, Won't he ever let you free?) To be free... To be free... To be gone so wildly free. What you've always longed to be. To leave your vast and empty sea. At the blood of your own hands- You gave your only life- Everything you ever cherished Everything you had - Gone. (And it was done for love, did you say?) For love... For love... For love of a man Who can only walk on land. For the love of man who goes and loves another. Dearest, my darling - My poor little mermaid - Did he ever even know? How much you've always loved him so? If only I could mend your heart - Repair your poor immortal wounds - You kiss against those foreign shores Wishing, hoping, yearning... I see you from the sandy shore - Your white, most delicate, most innocent lace - The glaze which haunts your beautiful eyes And looks so forlornly upon the moon The moon which rises and sighs and mourns Every lonely and desolate night with you.

- K.C. 1999

Page 1 | 2