Category: poetry

• unattainable

  “i wish i had met you first”
  words that tumble
  head over heels
  backwards
  in a tragic accident
  that lands with a thud,
  a sloppy mess…

  and a hand reaching
  two far inches from
  the soft skin of my cheek.

  July 24, 2010

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• blowing out birthday candles

  extinguished.
  the air in your lungs – exhaled –
  it makes a quick turn
  spirals and vanishes
  light becomes dark
  young becomes old
  the smell of ash and earth
  and carbon beginnings
  gone to the ceiling
  in a birthday wish sparking
  through grey wrinkles.

  July 22, 2010

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• crabcakes with the living

  i laid my twin sister
  of 87 years
  to rest
  in a humid mausoleum
  fans churning stale air
  stirring my white hair
  slightly
  the pastor speaking:
  twins have a special bond
  and
  the Lord is with you.

  i feel her
  squeeze my hand and
  no one notices.

  Oh Marie! Oh Marie…

  i watch the coffin blessed,
  say goodbye to my husband,
  (also waiting)
  and leave
  to go eat crabcakes
  with the living.

  July 20, 2010

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• like an 84-year old chord

  gentle rub rub
  of the dock
  trees sway
  oh that cityfied night sky,
  all purple
  and lit from within,

  beyond that
  one year dusted, it
  shivers neon, reminding.
  “Rusty Scupper
  Restaurant”

        when i had but
        change in my pocket
        when i had but
        blues on my side….

  around, and out
  B.B. King
  and Lucille
  “the thrill is gone
  the thrill is gone away.”

  then. clapping.

  echoes the air like an
  84-year old chord.

  July 16, 2010

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• dance recital

  i’m still a dancer
  behind
  a dark velvet stage,
  a ballerina,
  peeking anxious at a
  curtain opening slow,
  still in tutu, tights,
  straining to find
  your eyes
  reflection
  from breathless
  wooden chairs.

  July 15, 2010

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• new poem published on everydaypoets.com!

  Hi all —
  newest poem has been published on Everydaypoets.com! WOO! please take a look and share with friends. it’s a 10-second read 🙂

  http://www.everydaypoets.com/daughter-of-lucy-by-jody-costa/

  July 13, 2010

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• to those we briefly meet

  Lee, I met you once:
  I met a man strong
  with legs that loved
  volleyball and a smile
  that welcomed all and
  now none of it remains –

  except perhaps this.

  [RIP Lee]

  July 11, 2010

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• feeling of a hangover (haiku)

  floor hard on my bones
  ceiling looks down in pity
  mascara runs… runs….

  July 10, 2010

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• outside tonight is the heat

  outside tonight
  is the heat; it
  wraps my shoulders
  like a shawl knit
  by white-haired women
  who in their circle
  hum with soft
  gossiping
  and the air conditioners
  chirp in with a
  whirr of understanding.

  July 9, 2010

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• addict

  end it
  tomorrow control it
  fight scratch claw fight
  kill it
  that deep down
  twisted knife
  step off the ledge
  jump the height
  end it
  tomorrow control it
  fight scratch claw fight
  kill it
  i am it and it is me
  i am it and it is me
  no end
  no end no end no-
  end it
  tomorrow control it …

  July 7, 2010

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