In the Back Yard, Surrounded by her Laundrythe denim shirt hangs to her knees,she belts it or wears it open overa pink dress, the hem scalloped,the ric-rac abundant and torn --he stood too close, always, suckingthe oxygen away from her faceit's too early yet for glovesher woman's hands in water,sometimes she's washingsomething, sometimesshe's washing something offabandoned pit bulls clamberinto the back yard, surroundedby her laundryWear your coat(Please don't forget your coat)she sets the cups…See More

A gold mullet tied backwith a shoestring. Sweepingour fireplace by gettinginside, soot on her exposedbra strap. At the kitchentable with a Sprite, handedwads of fives for New Year'sbecause we forgot about Christmas.Old red Cadillac; parked twoblocks away, or takes the bus.Her own set of brushesin a cracked plastic bucket.The smell of bleachand earth from her skin.Hands that grow each week.See More

Big Black DogHead like a gunboat. Blueeyes: stars constantlyreceding. Breath of rottenPontiacs, half-buriedin the backyard. Followsme to the dinner party,insists on my lap.He savages the chicken,the sweet potato. No oneclucks or looks away.The short woman nextto us, with a sound likea flattened sparrow, liftsa chunk of orangesomething from her hair.Dessert is on his tongue,all over my face and neck.Mommy, he murmurs intothe puddling ice cream, Mommy.See More

I haven't seen any posts like this. Tell me if I'm outta line.Shattered FetlockMy uncle tells me not totouch the tiny blue eggsnested in the oleander bushoutside his front door.His doorbell soundslike a fading ice-creamtruck. Robins congregateon his lawn, singing a Beatle'salbum in reverse. On the frontsteps I wear heavy glovesmeant for a much largerman, but everything is breaking,opening its yellow eyes.See More