Pour Carlito

Everybody does what they
have to do to dream
their own Carlito Way.

Break down the door,
break in to get in,
it's so close-I can
touch it, you, my own
way to the garden.

I know how this
dream ends-and it
is not in paradise,
right or wrong.

But I need this, you,
just one time.

Everybody dreams their
own way, my way.

Treading Water

If love inspires words
to be bound by leather-
can the same material
encase you beside me?

Is it possible for one
to be free of the other?

Could I imprison myself
to grant your freedom
without martyrdom?

My mouth is dry of
your taste and thirsting
to swim beside you.

Panic grows with doubt
that I'll not tread water
long enough for your rescue.

I need you to softly
remind me how shallow
it is so I may stand,
bound by your side.

My Pillow

If I let you down
then you ignored me
and I am not to blame.

If I surpassed your
every wish and desire
you are a fool.

If you're unsure of
my worth to you
I'm wasting my time.

If I'm what you choose
in this very moment
you're perfect for now.

Rush Hour

The heart is not
a place for pictures
a palace of champions
a crusade to fight.
Its' walls are empty
to echoing rhythms
beached by the storm,
but open to pass
kisses to the mind.
Try as best you can
you will never
outrun my pencil.
Your lips may be
beautiful, soft-
but my passageway
is always eight open
lanes of traffic.

Justynuff

I slip off my lime
head first into
the cold concrete.
Professionalism left
at a basement door
for a man drunk
on your made
for TV movie
to take home
and snack on.
Proofrock's not
so bad anymore
even, i get it now,
J. Alfred was far
worse off than I,
far lonelier.
Shallow.

But learning to like
is not learning to love
and I'm not sure
which is more
capricious.
I would ask that
and other things
too messy
for handwriting,
but the deaf mute
prefers lines.

So one lion
roars to
a city of them
as he sits alone
watching her
play on her leash
with jackals
wondering if
she smiles at sunrise.