Two Poems

In the 1950s

Villains and heroes Of the small screen, fuzzed images, Pennsylvania nights black and white: Killer Kowalski, monocled Baron Von ____, The Zebra Kid, his deadly skull butt, Antonino Rocca of the flying leg kick Remembered because Rub-a-dub-dub fresh From the tub, pajamas You are loved in comfort And entertained by the drummed mat, Shrill women with hat pins. Francis Gary Powers Memorable because Richard Boone, Medic, Eye of an eagle, heart of a lion, Forehead on scrunched up knees, Hard, shined hallway linoleum, Metal lockers or under Your desk the world Ends in flash and cloud Francis Gary Powers Handcuffed, short haired, Liar Ike sitting up Alert in a wheel chair, Pajamas, over his heart Script, “Feeling Better, Thanks.” Written in Pencil The lake under rain Wind streams in water A day full of words, Most unspoken, lightning, The bowl filled with peonies Long enough ago to know better Marni you were here when My mother, your grandmother, died, Lay dying, not so far away I couldn’t go. I didn’t, Had reasons that today I can’t Remember. No wonder we lie To ourselves, to others, selfish, Easier than facing who we are. If that’s the thunder tell me Something I don’t know or say It in a way I’ve never heard before.

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