Poems
by E. Martin Pedersen

 

 

Brenda

 

Brenda drove her Lexus to the Temple

her new religion demanded prayer

she left her little Corgis at home

watching cartoons while she wasn't there.

 

Brenda met her new girlfriend at Dolly's

where they have line dancing on Friday

she suspected Jolene was married

but loved to watch her sashay.

 

Brenda ran her office like a war room

fighting to boost her company's brand

all she really wanted was some salt-water taffy

glitter shoes and a flag sweatband.

 

Brenda's women were staunch conservatives

they'd never admit when they were wrong

a Swastika appeared in the restroom

after the whitewash it was all gone.

 

Brenda once went to Cabo San Lucas

her date got rushed back to Omaha

a heart surgeon Brenda never saw again

Terry got a text: "Your loss, ha ha!"

 

Brenda worried a lot about wrinkles

she had several options to explore

in March, Brenda died of COVID-19

fillers and face-lifts don't matter anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

Court Me

 

Tomorrow I go into the courtroom

Tomorrow is my trial

I'll be interrogated soon

my lawyer tells me when to smile

yet I could die Tonight in bed

all this racing through my head

Tomorrow I go into a courtroom

will I come out alive?

 

There will be witnesses against

what will I have to hear

former friends waiting their chance

to make me squirm with fear

yet if I can meditate

rid myself of anger and hate

I will still be punished

but I will not surrender.

 

Tomorrow when I'm in the court

I will respect the judge

once I enter the heavy door

I won't come out the same one

Forever changed I'll be made

mindful, bitter and afraid

whatever happens Tomorrow in court

whatever's next, I cannot run.

 

Today, however, I can't eat

can't sleep, I can hardly breathe

the anticipation is killing me

the chairs full of people I'll see

I didn't imagine my life this way

in my carefree Yesterday

Tomorrow I must enter a plea

and I've got no guarantee.

 

There's always a court date coming

or a court date already passed

my head hurts, ears are buzzing

made completely aware at last

I will see my parents there

I will see my kids stare

I don't get points for being forthcoming

Today in court they'll kick my ass.

 

 

 

 

 

The Goforth Brothers

 

Eddie and Theodore Goforth

Born only two years apart

Now that they’re middle-aged

Their relationship sadly fades.

 

Theodore Goforth sells American cars

Chevy, Buick and the new Dodge Dart

Eddie sits around missing one leg

Mad at the government that wants him to beg.

 

Theodore loves Jesus and barbecued ribs

Eddie hacks all night with anonymous kids

They decided long ago they couldn’t get along

One or the other will be dead wrong.

 

Close almost like twins that grew apart

Two American boys doomed from the start.

 

 

 

 

 

The Weight of Pizza

 

'I haven’t had good luck with my boyfriends

I’ve always had a crush on you

If you take me to Paris, France, baby

I’ll walk with pride by your side down the Rue.'

 

We went on a trial vacation

But from the B&B room we didn’t emerge

The small-town Utah restaurant owner

Rolling dough so he would know my verve.

 

This way, that, kneed with flour and pat

Back home to work my way out of the wonder

I let him slip away, my days

Filled with deafening thunder.

 

Death and debt, interior design

Ecstasy mistreats you

I could not keep my dream alive

Along with the weight of pizza.

 

Rate this poetry.

Copyright is reserved by the author. Please do not reproduce any part of this article without consent.