The Politics of Pockets
Skirts and dresses should be tight arses
and hips for our enjoyment nobody
wants layers for exercise these tight fitting
tights will make you more efficient
for our gaze - show me what you have
pockets will just interfere but never fear
we will provide other ways for you to carry
your important things you have too
many things don’t show me what you have
let’s make that deeper, wider, bulkier
leather handbags that are ideal this desirable
luxury one only $2000 for this fine pocket
alternative look we created a new industry
aren’t you lucky.
Double Happy
You say you can’t anymore
I poke holes in the silence
squeeze word grenades through
onto the battlefield of the king
where among the sheets
the vacuum of your mood
deadens the explosions
leaving only a charred smell
as if children ran through here
with strings of double happys
creating a lot of noise but
nothing lasting to show for
their investment
Plum Jam
The war made my father a recycler before recycling was a thing
you never knew when things might be scarce
gather wire ties and bread bag tags in a little box
cut the shampoo bottle open and scrape the insides clean
keep everything not eaten
make preserves, chutney, jam
the jars multiplying in the pantry
the plums always sour.
They say the effects of traumatic events can be laid down in the genes
and passed on to future generations
see my little box of tags and wires
as I steadfastly eat leftovers
cut shampoo bottles open
and always have a jar of plum jam on hand
do not tell him it is shop bought
and sweet