Big announcement
My whole family sits around my cheap table
Turning their noses up the best that they are able
Naturally I should have more than this...right?
If I weren't in debt, than I "naturally" might
But times are tough, food's expensive too
"I'm doing my best! Look what I've made for you!"
I want to scream at the top of my lungs
But they already know that I'm precariously high strung
However, with this opportunity, I will speak my mind
They have no choice but to listen, they're too damn kind
"Attention, please!" I say, quite loud
Heads turn in my direction, I continue, voice proud
"I know that these accommodations aren't quite up to par;
I also know that most of you have traveled utterly far.
But trust me, dear family, your experience will be fine!"
And then we say grace, and commence to dine.
My smile grows as the meat disappears
The multiplying compliments quell my previous fears
"Your attention once more." I command, standing tall
My hands shake as my family's faces start to fall
They can tell that something isn't right
Maybe it's my smile, maybe it's the light
That gleams in my eyes. "That wasn't turkey or ham.
That wasn't even pork, or beef, or lamb.
Do you remember my fiance? How you said she was sweet?
Well, she left me for someone else-no please, stay in your seat-
I was so hungry, and she had come here
To get her things, I suppose, and let me say, it's queer
How easy it is to break somebody's neck."
They're all quite pale now, my family is a wreck
Laughter mixes with my voice, my mouth begins to secrete
"You were absolutely right, family! She WAS very sweet!"
Church Bells
The sirens went off at a quarter to four
Echoing chimes shook the panes in the door
The streets were empty before the final bell boomed
All of the people hid in their dark little rooms
All except my little brother, who wasn't prepared
He had tripped and fallen, and he was very scared
The town was silent, no one dared to cough
Because Mr. Longarm comes when the sirens go off
Neck Pains
I sit on the warm concrete sidewalk outside
Butterflies?
Flowers?
Too many to decide
I start to notice their broken hymns
Why can I hear the birds, but can't see them?
I shield my eyes, and look up to the trees
Rustle
Caw
I rise to my knees
Then I stagger to my feet
Then my feet leave the ground
Oh
No
In my head there's a sound
It's low and soft, a clock wrapped in cloth
I can't move my arms, my breathing has stopped
My neck is stretching, my head scrapes the pine
Pop
Crack
It has broken my spine