Thursday, August 02, 2012

Suicide Legs

Can-can Dancers at the Old Eagle Theatre in Sacramento
—Photo by Michelle Kunert, Sacramento



MAGDALENA’S PROTOTYPE
—William S. Gainer, Grass Valley

Those suicide legs,
teasing thighs
thin ankles—
The creator
wasn’t fucking around
that morning.

He must of had a —
good night.

I can hear him now,
in that Mexican accent,
“Jesus,
check this out.”



THE HOTEL ROOM IN OAKLAND
—William S. Gainer

The room
had big mirrors,
lots of them,
like I wouldn't know
I was there...



YOU’RE IN MY PRAYERS
—William S. Gainer

If certain people
would just die
life would be
okay...



NOW
—William S. Gainer

The sign
yellow,
flashing,
warning
77 mph.
Slow.
No.
Never.
Don't lift.
Gas was made
to burn.
Faster,
the clock
on the dash—
Ticking
Taking
Time
giving nothing
back.
With every breath
you're gone.
There is only
the future
and it is coming
fast.
Meet me
there
NOW...



MISSING YOU
—William S. Gainer

Did I tell you,
the gardenias
are blooming out front.
I’m leaving the door
open,
pretending it's you—
the sweet in the air.

When I see your
poems,
I touch them,
press my fingers
to my lips
and try to
remember 
what sweet
tastes like...

Yes—
it’s been a while
and I miss you
bad.



TATTOOS, COFFEE, A SMALL CAFÉ
—William S. Gainer

She took
the window seat
back to the glass.
The passers by
enjoyed
the rose tattoo,
the other cheek
unblemished,
lovely as well.



THE STINGY BITCH
—William S. Gainer

At the cafe
alone,
she asked
to borrow a chair
from the table
I was sitting.

I said,
for a kiss.

She replied—
that’s rude...

I offered
the one
I was sitting in.
She took it,

kept
her kiss...



USED MEMORIES
—William S. Gainer

After the wedding
she took
the leftover flowers
to the cemetery—
left them with those
who couldn’t make it.
It was a good thing.
Everybody—
remembered:
some with a kiss,
some with a tear,
some
with just a
flower...



THE FIRST TIME
—William S. Gainer

Last night,
last night
you got lost
in that last kiss,
didn’t you?

I saw it
in your eyes,
in the way
you had to look
to the streetlights
to catch your breath,
in the way
you had to untangle
your feet
just to walk away.

How long
has it been,
or was that
the first time
you’ve tried
to keep a secret
from yourself...

__________________

Today's LittleNip:

THE AGONY OF NUMBERS
—William S. Gainer

Standing in line
for shock treatment
holding number
next.

 __________________
 
     Our thanks to Bill Gainer for today's poetry, and to Michelle Kunert for the pix! Bill is stoked  because the Sacramento reading that he hosts, Poetry with Legs, is one of Sacramento News and Review's nominees for "Best Place to Hear Poetry". See www.newsreview.com/sacramento/best-of-sacramento-2012-nominees/content?oid=6861786 and scroll down for a list of the other nominees (or see our green board at the right under Poet Nooz) and to vote.

     _______________________

—Medusa


Cowgirl poet Norma Fox from Auburn
reads at the Calif. State Fair
 —Photo by Michelle Kunert