Bees

evil insects
necessary of botany
you haunt my dreams still
even though unwarranted
since we rarely had a run in
or should I say sting in
I remember that time
running barefoot through the yard
just trying to help my grandmother
by taking out the trash
early summer heat drew you out
for sweet dandelions.
I probably hurt you more
considering my country feet
were your death sentence
I tried hard not to cry
as i dumped a bag as large myself
and hobbled back to my grandpa's lap
so he could spit out a
warm wad of his favorite tobacco
to waste between my toes

Or how bout that time you got my cousin?
I was a bit older
grimaced at her shrill shriek from the pool
I remember the bittersweet slime
streaking my teeth
grinning at my mother
who dared me to chew this time
someone had to take the sting out

but your innocent accidents
aren't what haunt me
but your ducking and dodging
and the promises from my father
that you wouldn't attack
as i stood paralyzed on our porch
petrified, holding my breath
eyes squeezed shut
trying to find some little bit of courage
to sprint off the porch
past those large swinging archs
where every now and then
you would pause
to hover right in my face
almost as if taunting
I wanted to smack you right from the air
but could never over come
the fear of your fury

I know now you don't even have a stinger.

Elizabeth keeps her words in the rain

Dark clouds on the horizon
some say a storm is brewin'
though you couldn't tell
from the the dust dancin' round
this barren ground
despite desperate choreography
from the natives

its been years since this land
was wet from her kiss
spent years surviving
in the silence of her skin

Honesty is in the air
hangs thick like summer humidity
wind 's pickin' up
runs over through around
those cactus thorns
like an old lover's tongue

Elizabeth keeps her words in the rain
bare feet pound out rhythms
not knowing what they're asking for
fingers wiggle at the sun
beggin' for poetry

be careful what you ask for
they say when it rains it pours.

infectious happiness

Your lips hold serenades
a tongue heavy and wet with poetry
and teeth so perfect true
that no lie would ever dare fall from them

wonder gets written across my pores
with every exposure
my flushed complexion in danger
you should never be allowed to be unhappy

your smile is infectious
lights up my day
in every conceivable cliche
i feel it spread across my face
with no immunity

it adds years to my life
that worry and
stress and cigarettes
were determined to steal from me

fights off global warming
cures AIDS
gives angels wings
that smile saves lives

Hang your high heads,
heavy with the weight of your life,
hair gone gray from stress.
Is it in shame or prayer?
Tears drip down
cold on my skin,
matting my hair.
I look away,
afraid to see you
break under pressure.

Your fingers curl
brittle with seasonal arthritis.
You're still young yet,
but i hear your bones
moaning,
your joints stretching,
cracking,
and I fear for your life
and mine alike.

Missing You

i wonder if you think of me
a pagan in your presence
graced by a glance
a touch
maybe meant not soley for me
but everytime
i felt worthy
if only for that moment
but i should have known
your calliber could never be content
with the likes of me
can you even remember the way i taste?
give it not a second thought
this is just me
missing you

Apparition of Faith

When you left
my pillow clung to your scent
like a mother to her child
And when the door shut behind you
it might have been a boulder on my chest
I find rapture every morning in your eyes
and redemption in your hands
so without you here
I'm on my knees
and your name hangs heavy
from my tongue
Your kiss is my cross
a burden to bear
I'll be your sacrifice
if you'll be my savior
You're an apparition for my faith
the only heaven worth believing in