Headline Poem 4/26/14 -- A Yard Sale and an Emery Board

Today in my neighborhood was the annual, everyone-who-can has a Yard Sale, day. People drifted in and out, some walking, some biking, some driving through -- all searching for a perfect treasure and a really good deal. One woman inspired today's poem. 

A Yard Sale and an Emery Board 

She usually sits on her front steps 

reading a juicy romance novel 

while smoking what looks like 

some sort of ultra thin cigarette

regal in her own mind, taking the story and nicotine in

I always want to take her picture when

I walk by 

She's friendly, she catches my eye

Her yard is permanently filled with knick knacks and potential pre-hoarder trash

It seeps into the chairs and onto the window sill

The inside could be surprisingly clean,

but I doubt it 

Today, she files her nails and waits

for strangers to approach her space, to 

pick her brain about the price and availability of her things

Five dollars is too much, 25 cents each, can we trade? 

She's calm, but she doesn't look these visiting vultures in the eye 

Out of this world, these martians

don't deny 

they'd rather buy from her than

the other guys

Whatcha got that I can have? 

Is it safe to purchase what is hers when she looks so awkward using her neon green emery board? 

Headline Poem 3/15/14 -- A Day at the Park

Ryan Bonaminio Park (Photo credit Google Image) 

Today, I read this article in the Press Enterprise about park safety in Riverside, Ca. Park violence is up, but overall city violence is on the decline. Security guards may soon roam the parks, although that plan is debated, and residents are torn about the idea. This poem is not about park safety per se, but I did spend part of my day at one of these parks, and, so, here is today's poem.

A Day at the Park

Wind blowing through the trees

Sun so bright I must look down to the ground

Or close my eyes while walking and riding my bike 

Though I want to hold my head high

To look strangers and passersby in the eyes
(I should probably wear sunglasses)

Good day to you neighbor of the world

Who came to dot and cross my path 

Like i's and t's 

Letters meeting in an unscrambled word

Wrestling and running

Rolled up sleeves welcome the heat 

And capture the rays
And playfulness of the day

The laughter is so thick you can smell it 

Sweat and spills and salty cheek kisses 

I hold you like a kite 

Beautiful and tight

Open to the wind

Soaring strong 

A baby in my arms

Snacking on celery and thick ranch dressing

Mixed with spit it drips 

And lands 

He's so cute I just let it linger before I give it a swipe
With his shirt

Cupcakes and carrots and juice boxes 

Childhood is legit 

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