Fascinated like a fleck of glitter somersaulting

In a globe of snow.

I was Cinderella searching for the perfect fit,

And when I tried his on for size, I knew.

It was the opposite of childbirth. One was born in my life

When he slid in with a grunt, and it was then, I knew.

One was soft as a custard cone. I always felt it was my fault.

Once I dreamt I was carrying his penis through an airport

When, without warning, it sputtered a geyser of shit.

I rushed it to the ladies’. Hesitated.

Decided the men’s room. Then paused.

I wasn’t sure where to go, but one thing I knew.

Over and over I said to aghast bystanders,

But it’s not mine, it’s not mine.

You better not, he said kicking

Off cowboy boots, unzipping his tight

Jeans, put me in a poem.

And the arrogance at first

When I had no such intent. Well,

I just knew

That would be the first,

If not the last,

Thing I would do.

Woman Seeks Her Own Company

Profession:

Word weaver.

Fervent believer:

Humanity of humanity.

Proclivity:

Daydreaming.

Hobby:

Night-dreaming.

Sensitivity:

Everything.

Pleasure:

Books.

Biographies and poetry especially.

Lessons on how to mitigate disaster.

Medications:

Pen and paper.

Purpose:

Preservation.

Leisure:

Home.

Alone.

Unstressed.

Uncombed.

Undressed.

Indulgences:

Movies.

Pre-Hays and

Italian tragedies.

Because a good cry

Balances out a good laugh.

Favorite actress:

Anna Magnani.

Preferred company:

Burros.

Elephants.

Clouds.

Favorite soundtracks:

Trees speaking wind.

Rain.

Night thunder.

Nagual:

Ocelotl.

Like a lotl.

Nemeses:

Rodents.

Automobiles.

Planes.

Savored scents:

Mother’s lilies of the valley.

Grant Park lilacs.

Abuelito’s cigar.

México in the morning.

Family:

Friends.

Strangers:

Kin.

Achilles’ heel:

Rescuing.

Vulnerabilities:

Six brothers.

Anathema:

Babies.

Math.

Best trait:

Generosity.

Fatal flaw:

Generosity.

Put to rest:

Saber repartee and

Molotov bon mot.

Luxury:

Seclusion.

Foibles:

Love life.

Merit:

My life as witness.

Height:

5’2” or 157.48 cm last measured.

Diminishing with age.

However, simultaneously

Growing in self-worth.

Weight:

Done being concerned.

Shapeshifting into

Chichén Itzá.

Relinquished:

Vanity of paint.

Ever passionate:

Fashion.

Personal aim:

Mystic. This

Lifetime or next.

Auto-criticism:

At peace with being

Work-in-progress.

Solo-amusement:

Laughs aloud

At her own jokes.

Encourages:

Eccentricities.

Dislikes:

Chit-chat.

Parsimony.

Satellite loyalties.

Fond of:

Xolos.

Magueys.

Peonies.

Different drummer:

Since birth.

Path not taken.

All that.

Culinary skills:

None.

Decadences:

Unmade bed.

Weekends.

Some weekdays too.

Recompense:

Lounging like an odalisque.

Preferences:

What others think

Sent to department

Of dearly departed.

Artistry:

At sixty-five convinced

Just getting started.

Pilón

When in Doubt

When in doubt,

Wear faux leopard.

When in doubt,

Err on the side of generosity.

When in doubt,

Greet everyone as you would the Buddha.

When in doubt,

Collect blessings from those who own nothing.

When in doubt,

Absorb biographies to avoid life’s major mistakes.

When in doubt,

Make life’s major mistakes.

When in doubt,

Pay attention to the vendor shouting “Diooooos,”

Even when you find out he was only shouting “Gaaaaas.”