Curlers
twisted through frizzy peppered hair
Snaking through a strainer in the strands.
Cigarette balanced between cracked winter lips.
The red glow on the white paper eats away time but leaves an empty space.
Even the smoke drifts away after
Poisoning the lungs.
A flickering blue glow turns her expressionless face
Into a ghost lodged between yesterday
And tomorrow.
An authentic 1960’s terrycloth robe splashes
Her lifeless body with tunes of retro pink.
Memorizing the body’s curves, the La-Z-Boy recliner dreams of a moment
Unoccupied: A break from a tedious work week.
2:30AM. Monday Morning. Sunday Night.
The birds chirp in confusion of eternal city light.
One slit of brightness peeks into the shade drawn room.
A child meekly entering mom and dad’s bedroom while they sleep.
Angry words echo in the damp alley:
His $2,000.00 Hyundai backed into his $1,000.00 Chevy.
Slurred words intensify into sloppy punches.
Day-long alcohol stench saturates the alley.
3:00AM. The end of our broadcasting day. White noise fuzz.
Snow for the housebound without the mess.
Charred black replaces the cigarette’s white paper
Leaving the smoke’s residue a memory.
One inch of orange-brown butt issues from her lips.
Closed eyes and stagnant mind sleep.
The ocean’s reflective water shows off
Its bounty of tropical fish.
The waves create melodies of peace.
Seagulls freely fly searching for human handouts.
Sunlight covers the skin placing a blanket
Over the tired soul.
Copyright 2006 Cathy Kaplan