Off to the Side

A man walks sideways like a crab.
Love is a fish, edible and slippery,
Underneath and wet, can’t breathe
In the wrong element. I am sending fish
For Valentine’s, good for the heart.

I can’t march for peace until my husband
Isn’t mad. Will he remain angry for five years?
Five minutes or five lifetimes? The happiest
Things in my life are a hand on a hip,
A cup of Chai, and my daughter in a good mood.

I can’t walk for peace, Los Alamos is still simmering.
I’m holding a fire sale and Peace is up for grabs.
She isn’t a morning person. Twice my face screws up
I’m not as nice as I think.

Colin Powell is reading a script behind my morning.
I secretly think better of him. I think there is a dove
In his heart, a rabbit will pop out of his military pocket..
The words Colin Powell have powers
That could save the world.

I package rice and send it to the president.
I’m afraid it looks like a threat,
White enriched rice for Peace.
I write, “This is your chance to become
The greatest President. The one who against
Impossible odds turned loose the dove
Of your heart, the turn the other cheek
Commander-in-chief.

The happiest thing of my life is the bodies
Of those I love. Their hearts beat fluently
In all languages. If we looked at their hearts
Closely, a cloister of nuns in hers,
A carpentry bench in his, a jigsaw puzzle
Of the color red, Rapid Eye Movements
Of the dreaming heart.

One of the happiest things of my life is the day
The Evil Eye closed and the mouth opened
To good vowels and kind words. All morning
I said how much I loved him and by eight
He was furious at me. I give up. Peace,
Carry me on your river. Come get me.
Place a fresh baby on my heart.