Issue
#3

May
2009 

2 poems by Puma Perl

knives

words
slice
air
burns
it hurts
to hear
it hurts
to know

words
shimmer
sharp faces
smash mirrors
i lock
my
door
always

betrayal
smells like
sick sweet
rotting breath
crumbling teeth
smiles
without
eyes or lips

day breaks
doors open
hate
shows me
the way
out
love
carries me

joe strummer
asks the question
finally
i know
the answer

© Puma Perl

knives 2

my back hurts
the knives are
moving around
again

the first knife
is named candy
inserted
by the sweetest girl
she smiles when she speaks

the last is jon chan
a dancing imp
quick hands
poison eyes

nobody is here
i stare at the clock
the clock stares back
the mirror is empty
the door locks itself
there are holes in the rug

knives crackle
somebody
has entered
could be anybody

on one wall
my mother's paintings
reproach me
my hands type
words
without me

i packed two bags
socks gloves sweats
if I go north
sun block and Harley shirts
if I go south
nothing matters

there is lingerie
in both bags
black lace works
in any direction

© Puma Perl

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