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