Before my first day of school
I knew how to read and write

But mom thought it important
That I memorize
Our home phone number.

In retrospect
She worried that a stranger
Might sweep me up and secret me away.

How cute.
That one’s deepest fear
Would be kidnapping

And how sweet
That her dearest friend
The one she couldn’t bear to lose
Would be her five-year-old

Good times

The plans for your construction are precise
The design and engineering are true
The foundations solid, the drains are laid
In mathematics pure, infallible

The offices are bright with light, well-aired
The flow of work geometrically set
The shops and stores convenient to the staff
In tactical practicalities placed

But do you wonder, at night beneath your lamp -
Why are you building a concentration camp?

Look a head
Hell's kitchen
five stars it said.

She had angry eyes
her red head consumed you
like tongues of fire
her mouth reved
like Godzilla's
on the rampage
made me wonder
if "SOMEONE"
might have told her
she's beautiful.

I love it
flabby arms
wrinkly skin
stretchy marks
magical characteristics
wonderful years
awesome lives
from here to there
to be or not to be
without question
we're still standing
my lover my friend.