3WW: Loud Persuasive Riches

Another Bad Decision

She put her hand up and asked
in a loud voice, “Are you a science
teacher?” I shook my head no.
“Well, maybe you can answer
this question, anyway. If you

stick you finger in your nose
to scratch it, is it still considered
picking?” That was the last straw.
“Please leave detention.” I said
in a persuasive tone. She’d been

tapping her pencil, banging her keys
on the desk, complaining about
being bored. “Fuck that, I’m
not going to the office.” She mumbled
on her way out the door. She’s a beautiful

girl with onyx eyes and a soft complexion.
She’s smart and witty with riches
she doesn’t even know she has. The others
were quiet after she left. The room became
a vacuum. I wish I knew her better.

Nearly for Sunday Scribblings

Nearly

It’s 17 degrees right now.
Our valley is a bathtub
of sun and father winter
put a fan in the window

blowing icy air all around.
I hung my sheets
on the back porch clothesline,
anyway. All morning

I’ve been watching them
tango, first stiff-legged
but gradually bending
in soft dips and whirls.

They’re nearly dry. Soon,
I’ll carry all that freshness
upstairs and make my bed
with sun and wind.

Sarcastic for One Single Impression

We were watching Julia Stiles
as Katarina and Heath Ledger
as Patrick Verona in 10
Things I Hate About You.

Patrick says to Kat, “I
bet you’ve thought about
me naked.” She deadpans,
“I want you, I need you,

oh, baby, oh, baby.” My
husband and I cracked up,
our laughter flying out of
our eyes and settling over

us like a warm quilt. This
morning, he came downstairs
where I was trying to write
a poem and made a suggestion

for something else I could be
doing. That little smile,
that come-on twinkle. I glanced
up from my computer, said

in a flat voice, “I want you,
I need you, oh, baby, oh, baby.”
His laughter floated to me
on the scent of the coffee

he was making. When it was
ready, he carried a cup
in to me. I sipped it slowly.
It filled me with joy.

Sunday Scribblings: Big & Writer's Island: Tribute

Big Move

This weekend
we have to divide
my mom’s possessions.

The creativity
of her braided rugs,
the work ethic
of her refinished furniture,
the perseverance
of her cross-stitched
pictures,
the lightness and joy
of her delicate
pastel champagne glasses.

From the whole
to the scattered.
A star exploding,
raining down
her goodness
all over the map.

I spray lemon Pledge
on her dining room
table one last time
and polish it
until it shines.

Big Tent Poetry Wordle

He started by running his finger
along her thigh
to make her gasp.

By that time she was awake
and knew there was no way
she could slip out of bed.

She rolled over and saw
the question
in his boyish eyes.

What other way is there
to quench the flame?
She nodded her tangled head

ready to defy
the alarm’s insistent buzz.
The sunrise was a parade

of smiles. She reached out
turned off the alarm,
got up. Just a typical morning.

3WW: Affinity, Fidget, Mention-Cascade Poem

Kylie and I went to the movies
and because she has an affinity for chocolate,
I bought her a box of Sno Caps.

We sat in the unnatural moon shine
of the screen munching, munching.
Did I mention Kylie and I went to the movies?

When we got home, she asked if she could eat
the remainder of the Sno Caps
because she has an affinity for chocolate.

Without thinking about how much she’d already had,
I said yes. When we got in bed all she did was fidget.
I so regret that I bought her a box of Sno Caps.