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.
