Reeds

Reeds rise
improbable,
vegetable and vein
where the clouds
have fallen
in them
they are
their own
separate island
a swimmer's pate
bobbing
on the chilly bones
of March

hollow reeds
the wind
whistles through them
a thin high song
rising


Written for OSI, "hollow"

pretty girls

Ooh girl, could you be any prettier
they corner her
in the corridor
between
5th and 6th periods
the pretty girls
in their skinny jeans

I mean, Could you be any prettier
they hiss through perfect teeth
those pretty words
form a fine spray
their tongues
do remarkable things
perform loop de loops
and curlicues
in fancy cursive line

Her normally competent hair
falls damp
across her brow
she hugs her pack
close
and the metal teeth
hold fast
their grooves
thank god
she slips out of her body
her face peeling
in filtered light
a wrapper
with blurry print


Written for OSI prompt, "sarcastic"

wings

wings, beating the dim
air to froth-- two hummingbirds
sipping at sunrise.