parents are still mommy and daddy
even at age thirty-six
this wrench in your gut tells you
don’t leave me
i need you
writing
the subway
rocketing through darkness
through holes underneath the earth
like a fast-moving worm or a snake
all kinds of humans jostle from side to side
a loud screech, and i’m to mind the gap for the 60th time and outside
the smell of piss and dirt and exhaust
someone yells manhgoes!
because I want to eat fresh fruit
in darkness and dust
an old woman sits on a bench
her feet are black with dirt
bruises and sores on her legs
her arms are crossed
her eyes, too
everything she owns, is in a few plastic bags within reach
we scurry past
just another unpleasantness
a forgotten thing
in the darkness beneath the earth
This one was inspired by a recent trip to NYC last weekend… which is why I missed posting last Monday, actually. Saw a Yankee game, among other things! Maybe I’ll do a blog post about it later this week if I have time. Happy Monday!
-AJM
Monday-est of Mondays
late for work today
twisted my ankle walking
miserable rain
Forgot to get a post ready last night, sick with bronchitis and a sinus infection, it’s rainy and dark, and turned my ankle walking into work. 😭😭 I’d like a redo for today, thank you!
AJM
Case of the Mondays
time to sleep
it’s time i keep
close to myself
when the day is done
reality creeps in
and brings with it
hopelessness
It’s so difficult to be ON all of the time. I think it’s okay to make space for the crappy emotional health days. I certainly had my share of them last week. It’s important to come back, though, if you can… and know if you have more sad says than most, you’re not alone. ❤
–AJM
Where Did the Summer Go
Where did the summer go
We’re heading back to school
I miss the warmth already
As the nights are getting cool
I want those long days in the sunshine
I want the afternoons at the beach
The warm nights that last forever
Lighting bugs flashing out of reach
I want iced tea in a frosted glass
BBQ chicken and mac and cheese
Fireworks so close you can touch them
I want a sunburn, even, please–
I want picnics with the family
I want to taste a summer rain
I want to hug the skies forever
I want to come back home again
Life happens. Did not get a chance to get this posted on Monday. I hope everyone has a great week!
AJM
End of Summer
at some point
you wonder
what happened to Summer
the greenery is draped
like a nap you’ve grown tired of
Dream-Lies
Some of my classmates are getting old
I see the wrinkles beneath their eyes
Their hair is gray, their children are grown
Were the dreams we dreamed just lies
Some said
I want to go to Hollywood and party with the stars
I’ll own a house in malibu and several shiny cars
I’ll paint with fields of color and start an artist’s revolution
I’ll save the whales and sea turtles and remove plastics from the ocean
And still for others
These dreams are dreams left up high on an empty shelf
But the biggest dream I ever dreamed was the life I live myself
Sometimes I do read my poems out loud
I was in a friend’s wedding this weekend and wrote and performed this poem for her and her husband. It turned out silly and sweet and I’m so pleased that everyone liked it. I wish someone had recorded it.
For Kala and Kris:
Live like every day is your last
Remember to make each other laugh
and when times get rough
know that together you are enough
Your teamwork will see you through
Like if Kris suddenly comes down with man-flu
Or if he tells you about a work event the day before
Or you’re struggling to get Kala on time and out the door
Or you’re too hot and she’s too cold
Or someone’s left dishes in the sink and they’re growing mold
But all jokes aside, two is better than one
I hope your days are filled with fun
I hope you hold hands when you watch TV
Love fiercely and unconditionally
But I”ll wrap up, and say only this,
“We love you, congratulations to Kala and Kris”
❤ ❤ It was such a beautiful day!
Haiku: Summer on Campus
sounds of construction
float across empty side-walks
chaos building peace
Not Perfect
the greatest part about learning to love yourself
is loving yourself on the days
where you don’t look your best
you feel fat
you’ve gained weight
to look at your naked body in the mirror
to see the lumps
the discoloration
the stretch marks
to feel sexy because
perfect, never meant to be
an empty canvas
and although my curves are rounded
and my bumps have lumps
and my stomach doesn’t stick out quite right
I am everything I was meant to be
A. J. Morse 