THE OTHER WOMAN

She made herself a part of his childhood where I can’t exist.

They don’t argue, but listen to the radio,

she works at food and he at solitaire,

knife and paper scratching in unison.

They walk the valley of memory with motel receipts as friends,

something I said sifts through a crack, disturbing the air.

He had crossed the line, closed the door

and entered a raw, new world,

I’m going there whether you like it or not.

In language of stiff back and perfume,

slit eye shines above marriage vows

hiss of fang sneers through broken promises,

served papers and heart of steel.

I hardly noticed the forked-tongue kiss

subtle…painless…he’s gone.

Previously published in Kansas City Star

Arts and Entertainment Section

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PIRATE OF THE KANSAS SEAS

 I am enveloped in the instant

             before it is gone

Reverie is when chimera begins

              with the whisper

              of tempting breeze

a cloud is only a cloud momentarily

Before molding into shapes

the headwinds design.

If I were a cloud

for a tick-tock second

I’d want to be

the grandest cross-boned galleon-shaped cloud

              to ever pirate the skies.

Previously Published in Kansas City Star

Arts and Entertainment Section

All poetry on this page
Copyright © by Marie Asner, 2007 

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Childhood Scenes

(from "Amelia Earhart: Profile in Poems" 2004)

everyone has that moment

when a room becomes remembrance

curtains, river view and fragrant breeze

come into focus

"Run, faster, Sis!"

cookie crumbs nestle in old chairs

softness of family lingers

and provides strength

for fateful sled ride one winter's day

girl stretches arms to spring's wild sky

runs her heart out

dreams of flying

with wind and clouds

sees eclipse of the moon

from bank of trees

with Missouri fog rising

moon reappears

lights river

like a burning scythe

that two-steps over high prairie

around soft-needled pines preening for birds

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World Flying Speed Record

(from "Amelia Earhart: Profile in Poems" 2004)

rays of dawn tiptoe

along branches aching for warmth

Venus anchors in sky

before fading away

to flirt with strange horizon

of earth and heaven meeting

for first time as lovers

outside cockpit

clouds pass with rhythmic grace

inside, metal instruments

bruise her shins

fear is unwanted

her gift of ease

handed out at random

she didn't ask why

when the turn came