two roads.

having spent the past week in Chicago

I am cruel and a liar.

as cruel as the L

or prohibition. People have said

of my Midwestern scepter; my

beeswax wings, that I don't care

much about the sun at all.

The way strangers wait to peek

beneath my miserable dress. But I've been kissed

and remember the outward darting of

something warm on a mouth

that purses like  a strangers mouth.

For this I need to speak Chinese so as

my hanzi clings tight to corresponding symbols.

And when I say sex,

(when I say I need it),

I won't mean you laying on top of me,

only that the purest Chryseis

had stolen us. Only  that I had come to

that dangerous part of the dream again:

Like moss crowds the road parts of woods.

Frost's yellow, diverging, magnificent woods.

Reviews

[H. R. Dwyer]

I enjoyed this, it was a preferred piece on this site so far.

my Midwestern scepter; my
beeswax wings, that I don't care
much about the sun at all.
The way strangers wait to peek
beneath my miserable dress. But I've been kissed
and remember the outward darting of
something warm on a mouth
that purses like a strangers mouth. - your whole flow through this is great.

[h d e rushin]

thank you so much H R for stopping by to visit me....Much appreciated my friend...dana

[Cory Barrett]

This one is thick. It took me a while and 5 good reading before i began to digest it all. The collision of so many cultural nuances. Almost as to say. "there are 2 roads, and i have been down them before, and know them both; as they are a figure 8".

Great write my friend.

[h d e rushin]

thank you Cory for those wonderful words my friend....dana

[emmajoy]

What it is to have the skill to walk backwards in poetry! Seems to me that you take two paths in this, the cynical and the gentle amusement. 'The way strangers wait to peek .. beneath my miserable dress. But I've been kissed.. '

Can see an eyebrow raised - or whatever's appropriate according to action or thought! Seems whatever the intention or plan to go a place, there's always a shadow of should i really be here - and do i care! Perhaps?

[h d e rushin]

great perception my friend........I've been away for a few days it seems....Still trying to find a good used car with limited money....thank you emmajoy and I love you.....dana

[emmajoy]

Having too much of an imagination sometimes, am inclined to get things completely wrong but, have been told it can- at times, birth an idea in someone's mind!!!

Hope you find a good used car soon; tis quite a trial by ordeal fto find something reliable at a reasonable price.. don't i know it.Much luck with that, dana..

[~]

Well Dana, you seem to know how to wake yourself up girl. Stay alert and don't be intrigued by a the nonexistent trail of generous greener grass..

[h d e rushin]

thank you moonskittles.....for stopping by to visit me...

[LJW]

Two roads diverged in Chicago...... LOL

Man, you're a trip.

[h d e rushin]

I love and miss you....dana

[LJW]

Love you more.

[W.k.kortas]

While the nod to Frost is there, it's hard to imagine him writing about the L. There are lovely bits of playful references to mythology (though some not as playful as well); I would agree with our mutual friend Mr. Simm, as I am wonderstruck by the level of sophistication and beadth of knowledge in your pieces, though you never try to beat us with it or play the know-it-all card in your work. As Ken notes, this is wit in the oldest and finest sense.

[h d e rushin]

thank you wk.....for those kind words my friend....

[Emily B]

Yes, oh yes. It seems to be a new divergent road but so stunningly gorgeous. Si glad I peeked in today.

[h d e rushin]

thank you dear lady for stopping by to visit me.......dana

[Lydia Shutter]

Hmmm.... Chryseis....used as a slave and then ransomed. Is sex used in this way? Very interesting poetry, Dana. Always making me think. What lies beneath the miserable dress? Why is it so enticing? If there is moss on the road, it must be the one most do not travel...perhaps the more desirable? Your words are filled with clever wit and dry humor. I liked this. Lydi**

[h d e rushin]

thank you Lydia ........and as you can see I have learned and learned again from the finest of women love poets.....You in particular. dana

[Lydia Shutter]

You are a sweetheart!

[Ken Simm.]

You amaze me with the intelligence, wit and downright wisdom of your words. Everytime you get me.

[h d e rushin]

thank you Ken for being a friend of mine. I am truly blessed this day....dana

[mattavelli]

Ni hao Mei nv, I lived in Chicagoland for ten years. I preferred the cornfields to the city, but the museums and Jeno's pizza are worth the trip. I enjoy reading your poetry, because it feels like I'm not expected to know what you are talking about. Midwestern boys get a kick out of any skin that seems to have slipped out of place. A dress is a great excuse to drop something.

[h d e rushin]

thank you my friend for those kind memories and good morning to you....dana