Covey of nuns
without benefit of wimple
graciously attired
sport coat, turtleneck, skirt
scurry through the airport
iPads swinging
unaware the turtleneck
is their Roman collar.
Donal Mahoney
That Bench
He goes there every day; to that bench in the shade;
Where his shoes have formed small clearings in the gravel;
where his wool sport coat has rubbed smooth the paint.
He goes there every day, to that bench in the shade
where the squirrels eat straight from his hand
as little birds frantically snatch up seeds he's sprinkled about.
He goes there every day, to that bench in the shade
but not today…and not again.
08/30/15
Submission for Contest: The Sense of Touch
Sponsored by: Nette Onclaud
The News is on; announcer live.
Her sport coat without vest.
The orchestra with trumpets sound;
sensational at best.
The shocker first for your attention.
Disaster worse than ever.
Lisa Laflamme with sad brown eyes
to pity and to sever.
The damage in the millions now.
Some countries going to give.
To lastly there are victims found
we're hoping, who will live.
Then on for thirty minutes
goes the wicked in the world.
Their stories without mercy
coming at us as if hurled.
Till finally comes the final story
to calm you down a notch
and bring you to a place of comfort
so next day you will watch.
Then bugles blare to end the show
to Lisa Laflamme's goodnight.
"And that's the News in the world today"
She smiles big and bright.
SMITTEN OLD MAN
High school year book, 47
I’m not a gad looking guy –
Short hair, sport coat, tie
This remembered as I gaze across the room
She’s sitting at a table near the wall,
Lap top open, ear phones, late and all
She wears a sleeveless blouse
On a cookie now I’m nibbling,
But, my God, her arm! What’s that scribbling?
From distance the appendage looks solid black
Is she weird, some sort of voodoo?
“No, you idiot!” I laugh. “Just a tattoo.”
Through her tangled blond hair a streak of purple,
No cosmetics improve the sallow face,
Clothes, by 40s standards, a national disgrace
I’m smitten – chair seat a bed of nails,
Arthritis rebels, bony hands clutch -
This modern generation, it’s just too much!
Dave Austin
First time I remember attending a dance at school
White bucks and a sport coat, feeling like a fool
All week I’d played 45’s and practiced how to dance
I was nearly thirteen now so it was time to take a chance
I walked into the auditorium, friends met me at the door
Ricky singing Poor Little Fool and she danced across the floor
I stared at her, felt my heart go pop when she turned her head
I caught her eye, saw her smile, and felt my face turn red
I was frozen to the floor, didn’t know what to say to the girl
In the corner I stayed, while the DJ played The Duke of Earl
Robin Luke sang Susie Darlin’ and the time was passing by
Then Jack Scott was crooning My True Love and I could only sigh
Chuck Berry wailing Almost Grown, it would soon be time to leave
DJ announced ladies choice with It’s Only Make Believe
It was like a dream come true when I turned around to see
Her standing there and I heard her say will you dance with me.
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