Okay, I'm Invisible

So what now? The locker room at the YMCA
only took a half hour, and I've spied on the mohawk'd
guy I've followed home for the last 45 minutes
but all he's done is listen to "Stairway to Heaven"
on repeat, scratching his belly plateau, slowly, free
     thumb
hovering near the shuffle button on the remote
in case his sneering housemates arrive. Am I wasting

my time? I should be saving babies, kittens, maybe
I'll head down to the grade school, leave the back door
     open
for a three-legged dog. Minor mischief and
     misdemeanor
peeping: I'm useless. I move closer, his head is weaving

with the chorus, Marlboro smoke swirling through
the dark spikes of his hair. Up close, his face creases
with the late hours of shift work, his van
on cinderblocks. I am on his lap.
All superhero, I try to think of where my hands
might do some good, might remind him of being

seventeen in a backseat with Alexis from homeroom
popping Bubble Yum in his speakershot ears, might
make him think it's all lewd slowdances,
it's all Led Zeppelin in a basement with your
headphones on. The song picks up tempo
and I am magnificent and delicate like a surgeon.
He thinks it's just the song bouncing off
scratched hardwood floors, the late afternoon
shining sweetly through the blinds.

— Erin Keane, author of The Gravity Soundtrack


This poem is offered as part of our July theme: Rock & Roll

All poems, art, and photos are public domain, creative commons, or used by permission of author or publisher. WordFarm, 2007. Photo by Ralph-Thompson, via Fllickr.
Artist Debbie Young


Art by Debbie Young

Every Day Poems

Read a poem every day. Become a better writer. Participate in our writing projects, so we can see your work. If one of your poems is a good fit, we might feature it in this poetry-daily, with your permission.
Creative Genius Workshop


Summer Treat

Creative Genius Workshop II

Boost your creativity. Find your voice. Leader Kathryn Neel has helped develop creative solutions for a Google preferred company, Sony, Marriott, and Disney.
rain listen 160x160


How to Read a Poem?

What sounds sock you in the gut or delight you? A coyote's howl, coffee brewing, people turning magazine pages? If you can listen, you can read poetry.
poetry dare 160x160


Operation: Poetry Dare

We're running an experiment with Nancy Franson, and you can be an observer. (She might approach poetry "clad only in Tyvek while wielding sharp instruments.")

 

Copyright © 2013 T. S. Poetry Press. 
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp