My tattoo—poem

"My tattoo" appeared in the Huron River Review, in 2010.
 

My tattoo

She would be a woman of course

with long black hair

that would turn green with time

and smiling knowingly

though I don’t think anymore

that I would want her to have devil wings

or a pointed tail

She would still show some leg

and I think she should be clothed

though how I’m not sure—

perhaps a librarian?

or a mexican bandita?

or a flamenco dancer?

a dominatrix seems too obvious

She might be holding a book

but which?

War & Peace?

no, Anna Karenina!

in fact she could be Anna!

in the ballroom scene

with the shoulderless black dress

but then she couldn’t be smiling knowingly

she would have to be smiling radiantly and sorrowfully

I had thought also she could be a gypsy

playing a violin

with large hoop earrings

and a red bandanna

or a pirate queen

or even Red Sonja

but not a cowgirl

though for the record cowgirls are sexy too

and I don’t know how she could be drawn as a wildland firefighter

since green and yellow nomex isn’t that sexy

even if a woman’s face covered with dirt and ash is

I think though

that what’s important

is that other women enjoy her

and they don’t mind sharing me with her

and that in bed they would trace her curves with their fingers

in the semi-darkness

calling her by name

Poem for Cat

"Poem for Cat" originally appeared in the lit zine Salonika in New York City, way back in 1999 (as "Poem for Nan")

poem for Cat

you were tall and strong like an amazon.
long runner’s legs
hands rough and calloused.
and your hair, pulling on it when I fucked you

you could out-hike most of the crew
and you looked good covered in ash and dirt.

pool games at the Timberline
you liked your vodka and beer, lots of beer
and me thinking of all those men you chose me.

days and weeks without touching you
listening to the guys talk
r&rs in Chico
poison oak and rubbing lotion into your legs
the woman we shared your roommate

end of fire season, roadtripping back east
desert hot springs at night,
hikes in Utah, Bryce Canyon in the snow
and the fights

and goodbye in Rochester
and goodbye in Chicago
and goodbye in Minneapolis

finally on the phone I asked
and you said yes
the whole summer with him too

I slammed the receiver down
tried to push you out of my life
but you are strong
without even trying
or wanting to try
you stay...