while combing my hair

while combing my hair


I yanked and pulled
a tortoise shell comb
thru mahogany stained tresses
and this is what I found:
Buddha's teachings
a tickle session with my sister
my first menses
afterbirth of my son
scent of pine-tar
snap of rider cards
mother breaking dishes
sis reciting "WRECK OF THE HESPERUS"
desk drumbeat of daddy's nails
mate on one knee
nutty scented roasting brown-rice

all tangled in my hair
and released upon my shoulders

flight of the rare bird

a soft purr of red
she fled
over midnight terrain

airport run-a-way rearview mirror
overhead New York plane roared
lost her head
as mirrored bits
flew off her fist

an insistent wail
hot on her tail
broken clouds forever rain

a stolen glance back
flash of red lights
they had arrived

closing in
blue uniforms
grabbed at manic butterfly

trail of soot black tears
over sallow cheeks
crush of glass

forced into a beige cocoon
wrapped too tightly
and no ribbon
she collapsed

pretty mama pretty
your turquoise dream
what a pity
birthday package of pain

Happy Birthday Dragon Lady