Poem: "The Dark Ones"

"The Dark Ones"

- for Buko.

dear ________,

she walked down
the narrow street
moonlight hitting her face
something inside

gnawing, festering
like a black widow
crawling
spinning
a beautiful web

the homeless guy
in the ripped shirt
and dirty jeans

is thinking obscene thoughts
as he watches her walk
a brother and sister run along
oblivious in their game
of hide and seek

she longs her a cigarette
it's been months since
she's been kissed
in the back seat
of a stranger's
vintage '57 Cadillac

"If only I had chosen to wear lace tonight," she said
wistfully under a lonely, glittering
street light.

- GT

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "Fleeting"

"Fleeting"

- for Buko.

dear ______,

I have been stuck
in this cramped room
hunched over
the typewriter
you sent me unwrapped
three Christmas' ago

trying to find the words
sometimes your voice
floats in my head
just before sleep arrive

the cabinets are bare
my chest feels like
a thousand rotten butterflies

the sweetest decline
of modern civilization
has been the institution
of high rise dishwashers

the words threaten to overtake
my delicate fingers
should I stay here
and surrender to the inglorious
bastards who stalk
like living shadows

ever so subtle
into the fray?

- RD

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "Call Waiting"

"Call Waiting"

dear ___________,

that shade of red accentuates
your lovely shape
a glass of wine is waiting for you
on the table
if you want to unwind

the last time you were over
my house
we danced really close
and my hands slipped down
your back a little too far

I remember the way
you blushed as a tiny laugh
escaped, you winked,

"Just couldn't keep your hands to yourself," you muttered
as we kissed and talked
until the morning sunlight shone through
the slightly open window
all the while
the phone lay
off the hook.

- NV

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "Saturday Lullaby"

"Saturday Lullaby"

There are leaves everywhere
it is nearly the September
of my mutual unraveling

maybe there is a chance
that the phone will stop
its incessant misquito

the bed is unkempt
the sheets have turned
a pale yellow white

the birds outside are circling overhead
the raindrops feel bitter
on my tongue

if I allow memory to linger a while longer
maybe someday will end
and we'll be in each other's arms
once more.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "Losing Stanley"

"Losing Stanley"

I hate my life, he says
as he drinks coffee
out of the same cup
that he has been using
for ten years

maybe he'll choose
to wear the tie with the fishes
with blue and red stripes

maybe he'll stand outside
for twenty minutes
while playing with his dog's
water bowl Frisbee

he wants to call Franny
and tell her that he's not coming
to the usual Scrabble marathon tonight

I watch him sometimes
waving at no one in particular.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "A Slight Exaggeration"

"A Slight Exaggeration"

If I can't see the sunset
or feel the vibrant heat
of the sun beating down on my bare back
or see my lover's face

I would rather
lay here in solitude
exposed to the seething
Glow of moon and delicate shadow

if I can't have you
or know the beauty of your touch
lie to me just one more time
and stay awhile.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "Falling"

"Falling"

The sunset fades
sand on the beach
crumbles in my hands
sitting in shorts in flip flops

fishing with one's bare hands
equals ten points off one's IQ

outside, I don't want to go
maybe I should just close my eyes
maybe if I think hard enough and long enough

you'll come sit beside me for awhile
and smile with your beautiful eyes a gleaming
we'll talk awhile about nothing in particular

if I take you in my arms and kiss you
just one last time
could you spin the world for a moment
and stop the fall?

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo