The Trouble with Remaining Professional

Because he views speaking as a profession
he tells me, “memorize your piece, paper
shaking between your fingers is distracting…”
he doesn’t know that I seek the distraction
like an ADHD kid ‘stiming’ on moving lights

His profession is my secret garden

The audience’s divided attention makes me less
transparent, the paper my grip on what’s permanent
because motions are as faded as memories and words flee yellowing pages
as the years spin across my chest and I’m caught
standing still again, staring pass the window and the spotlit open mic
at another sun devoured by the oak trees.

Marathon

She found faith through submission
the destruction of her spine and days
turn the wired spokes down memory lane a bargain:
be careful for what you wish.

She says the evidence of her life,
calluses cracked and bleeding rivulets across her palms;
I could have traced the lines
into an autobiography of self-portraits.

I visited seeing concrete frown.
The sky knew nakedness without eyes.
She doesn’t understand. My shoes were tearing sentences,
like being reminded of a waving checkered flag;

even monuments can be made obsolete.

Gamma Rays and Abandonment Issues

Dear Dr. Banner,

You’re father never hugged you

enough. You have a right to be upset. Anger Management

gives you someone professional

to talk to. Open Up, Share.