—Poems and Photos by Michael Marrotti, Pittsburgh, PA
THE MADNESS IN HER EYES
—Michael Marrotti
She used to
reward me
for tolerating
her belligerent
behavior with
irreplaceable
gifts to contradict
her malevolent nature
Shrinks could not
rectify her glitch
pills didn't make
a difference
alcohol only fueled
her contempt
misanthropy
and orgasms
were the only things
we had in common
She had a sexy figure
that would not stop
neurotic thoughts
we both would gather
I voluntarily
walked out on her
numerous times
only to come back
to a disorder
that could not
be conquered
Those crazy
green eyes
haunt me
to this day
I picked up the
pill-shaped pieces
of a life that was
shattered
420
420 is the stoner
holiday for most
who enjoy bong hits
Pepsi and pizza delivery
For others it’s the day
that spawned a monster
or a malicious school
shooting by those
who refused to take
what they were offered
It's a day of remembrance
it's a day to forget
for me it’s one
of the most memorable
days of the year
So for someone
with a bad memory
and contempt
for clichés
I thought the day
after would be
an ideal date
for a loving
anniversary
WHEN DEALING WITH A NARCISSIST
I make sure
I'm equipped
with two ice
cold beers
It's going
to be awhile
her self-obsessed
monologue is
endless
I listen as she
rambles on
about everything
from what she
claims to be her
latest achievements
to family gossip
it all goes back
to her
After an hour
I attempt to
mention
the publication
of one of my
poems
It's dismissed
like a misbehaving
child in the
principal’s office
I casually finish
my cold beer
raise my
insignificant
body to my feet
and say goodbye
to apathy
I know I'm an author
but this was supposed
to be a day of leisure
I didn't come here
to write your
autobiography
I TOLD HER TWICE BEFORE
Placing a phone call
to a disconnected number
ear on the receiver
that familiar voice
is the insistent voice
fading into days
when attention
was welcomed
as it devolved
into trespass
A relationship
on life support
The futility
of hanging on
when all
the fingers
are fractured
and the Viagra
has expired
The vagina
refuses
to face the truth
when they are at one
with the truth
the truth
is also unwanted
At Warhol's Grave
FORGIVENESS IS A THING OF THE PAST
The amount of
forgiveness
I've shown
to you
would make
a priest blush
The kindness
you've received
from me
was a page
ripped out of
the Bible
I know
if anything
this sexual
escapade
could stop
at a four-way
intersection
If you think for
one fleeting
moment
I'll bite that bullet
again which has
chipped my teeth
and altered
my way of living
you're wrong
I'll tear down
everything I've
toiled to build
I'll pay for sex
to contract
chlamydia
I'll drag my
last name
through the
most vile shit
available
just to get even
You've stabbed me
in the past bitch
this time around
my fingerprints
will be on the
weapon
___________________
Our thanks to Michael Marrotti of Pittsburgh, PA for his fine poems and photos of Pittsburgh! Michael is the author of F.D.A. Approved Poetry, available at Amazon.
Interested in copyright law for artists? Cal. Lawyers for the Arts will present a workshop in Sacramento tonight, 6:30pm, by Steve Davis on all sorts of copyright definitions and issues. County Bar Assoc., 425 University Av,, Suite 120, Sac. Scroll down to the blue column (under the green column at the right) for info about this and other upcoming events for poets in our area—and note that more may be added at the last minute.
The Poeming Pigeon is pleased to announce the release of its fourth issue, and pre-orders may be had at a 20% discount from now until Oct. 15. See www.thepoetrybox.com/_DetailPagesBookstore/TPP-MusicOrderPage.html
_____________________
Today’s LittleNip:
To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard.
—Allen Ginsberg
_____________________
—Medusa
—Anonymous Photo
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