Poem: "Dead End"

"Dead End"

The coffee sits on the counter
In a little styrofoam cup
streaked with red lipstick

Post It notes
littered with
scribbled "I love you's"
tacked on the fridge

your dress lies
on the bed
it was strapless
and came slightly
above the knee

your scent
still clings
to the pillow

I replay
old messages
left on the answering machine
just to hear your voice again

woke up this morning
it's been months now
I spend the days
in that corner diner
we used to have lunch at

writing letters to you
that I don't have
the intention of sending

I ran into your sister
the other day
she said you moved away
to Europe somewhere

met some perfect stranger
who finally gave you everything
that I couldn't ever hope to

at night I still go to the same spot
we once shared
when our hearts were full
and the world seemed
brimming with possibilities and wonder

the stars shine brightly
as the moon illuminates
the street I walk on
moving ever forward
until I reach
the inevitable

all the while, I think of you
the desperation, palpable
as I close my eyes

and in that moment,
we are together once more
though forever apart.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "Peephole"

"Peephole"

I've been watching you
for months now
trapped in this lonely
uninviting space

I see you walk
down the street
you stop for coffee
at Starbucks

every Tuesday at 8:15 a.m.
you go to the gym
with your Walkman in hand
your favorite color is midnight blue

and your smile reminds me
of Gala apples
and your scent is a cross
between jasmine and vanilla

you brought home sometime
the third Sunday three months ago
he fucked you up against the wall
raised your skirt and you gasped
no panties, the bastard squealed

I watched from the peephole
of my door
you knocked sometime later

but the lights were out
and I was getting to know
myself better

what would it be like
to hear you breathe
to feel your head resting
softly against my naked chest

you don't have to worry
your dirty little secret
is safe with me.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "The Mark"

"The Mark"

It is quiet now
the yelling has subsided
the screams have faded

she crawls
to the phone
dials 9-1-1
struggles to
speak

the operator says
"9-1-1, what
is your emergency?"

the woman repiles
"please help. he is coming,"
as she collapses

the world starts to fade
as her eyes catch sight
of him standing over
her motionless body

she has become
the mark.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "Forget Beatty"

"Forget Beatty"

William was handsome
tall, tan-skinned
with dark hair
and piercing brown eyes

he makes me hate
myself
I am small
and
hopeless

an insignificant blot
on the face of humanity
I turn over
and try to shut my eyes

the fool inside of me
whispers incessantly

wake up
wash your hair
put on fresh clothes
eat breakfast

an hour of exercise
followed by meditation
and Tai Chi

I hate myself
but I don't ever
dare to change

I want so desperately
to forget Beatty.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "October's Release"

"October's Release"

The autumn leaves
have fallen silently
on the ground
walking amid the crowds

of the faceless strangers
as they mockingly smile
smirk and point

the sins of the fathers
have been visited on
unsuspecting mothers
and their young

it is almost Halloween
with the masks and
the makeup

somewhere inside
the inner child seethes
unbearable screams
the birthing has finally
begun

the child held in her mother's arms
smiles gently and falls asleep
as the pain of motherhood lapses
lost in October's
subtle release.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "Leaving The Spectacle"

"Leaving The Spectacle"

Underneath the stars
when the world is quiet
and the sky opens up
her tears

laying with you
drinking in the
unfettered beauty
of God's hand

lest we must let go
of the beating of
our expectant hearts

and gently forget
the beauty of this world
let the spectacle
of our passing

be mourned among
the most faithful devoted
of our unknown
stalkers.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo

Poem: "Veiled"

"Veiled"

The sun
has long since
faded away

the night sky
is clear
without a single star

rain begins to fall
soaking me
to the bone

I can hear my teeth chatter
in the silence of my feverish mind
as my eyes burn
with the memory

of former indiscretions
of the other men
that have shared our bed

if you have ever loved me
my dearest one
let the final blow
be veiled
in the sweetness
of your aching lips.

Copyright: 2009, by Raymund Diaz Delizo