hey are you okay
yeah I think so
would you say if you weren’t
probably not
you’ve been talking to yourself again
what do you mean
like in my sleep
no you scream in your sleep
that’s funny
reminds me of the time [long ago]
I couldn’t find my car the next day
yeah I remember
what about it she says
idk I say
not much has changed since then
april two thousand twenty-three
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
i.
what shall we talk about
of course nothing is an option
but there must be something
you’d wish to discuss
an object & a subject perhaps
such as a damsel in distress
ii.
there’s the recent death of Albert
but that’s a private matter
and sweet Josephine is out the question
for she is alive & quite well
endlessing walking the shoreline
throwing sticks & picking up stones
iii.
if it’s a fantasy that suits you
please return from the one since birth
twisting & turning your own fate
into a tragic or comedic poem
here I am beginning to recall
where you left off the last time
july two thousand twenty-two
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
sitting in the natural light in
an outside cafe
one warm spring day
I cross my legs
exposing their whiteness
an elderly woman asks
if this seat is taken
and I shake my head and stretch
out my darkened arm
palm open toward the metal chair
across from me
I remove my satchel from my shoulder
and place it under the table
sliding it further with my foot
we hold a pleasant and somewhat
intelligent conversation
she drinking sweet hibiscus tea
and me a double espresso
I told her I was from the third world
and she nodded and laughed
saying she was from the old one
I went on to confess I shave my legs
but seldom my face
and she smiled and said
she did just the opposite
she listened to every single word I said
even the ones spoken in another language
attempting to give clarity to my predicament
I went on to say I don’t believe
I belong here
that I was thinking of checking out for good
If you don’t mind she responded
please give me a head start
and I’ll be on my way
before you take me with you
april two thousand sixteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
what’s your favorite song
I asked her
as we sat atop the bluff
overlooking the mississippi river
the white sails below looking like
a paint-by-number watercolor
she took a sip of her arnie palmer
and lowered her sunglasses
exposing sinister eyes
straight into mine
then pushed them back
and returned to her sunbathing
what was that look for
I asked her
picking up a rock and rubbing it
with my thumb and fingers
you know what my favorite song is
you silly man
she whispered above the happy birds
why don’t you go ahead
and sing it for me
august two thousand thirteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 