In Which Carmen Writes Lengthy, Rather Sketchy Poetry

Not sure I like the character whose voice speaks through these poems (or multi-part poem, rather), but she's starting to interest me. I might be back to edit these into some sort of readable shape, or I might just sort of "Huh" and leave it at that.

Spirals

i
I sit twisted here, wrapped around myself
because if I can find my center, that place beyond the ache
or maybe within it, then, then I could
catch myself, this next time
before I fall. Fall: from grace; in love; out.
If I can only find it, breathe deep like Mama told me,
if I can find it and touch it with one fingertip
I can let it spread under my fingernails, up
to my hands, the fragile bones absorbing
the peace, sending it to my elbows,
my shoulders, my neck, my face, and back
down across my breasts, my stomach,
toes curling at last with the joy of it.
And I would be here, and here
would be home.

ii
I am a selfish child, orphaned, left to suffer
for my sins, left here curled crying in the snow
until the padre comes to claim
me, comes to claim my life as important
because until then I am no one.

( ...and the rest )

In Which Carmen is a Kid at Heart

Since I am a champion watch-loser, I spend much of my yearly income buying and misplacing Timex watches. I've gone through just about every pattern in the kids section, some of which I've enjoyed for periods verging on months.

After my last watch-losing fiasco, I decided that my Timex-buying days were over. I had no intention of even thinking about purchasing another watch. But then I walked into Bruce Variety this afternoon, and this watch was staring at me, doing a little lizard clicky dance, and I caved.



It's not my fault, I swear. It's just...there are lizards! And they're cute and green. And the band is made out of this kid-loss-proof elastic stuff that's supposed to foil even hardened watched losers like yours truly.

Did I mention that there are lizards?

The watch is staring at me as I write this entry. I think we're communing.

I can't wait for someone to ask me the time.