Poetry, by Laura Alaniz

Poetry

Nothing makes people flee

Like reading them poetry

They value it in theory

But please don’t make them read

Surprise me with your verse

You have to grab me

Rhyming will only make it worse

You won’t catch me with just flow

(2015)

Most women are cooks But a man who cooks Is a chef She cooks over and over To feed the masses

Water Beach pools and fountains Rivers creeks and waterfalls The sound The feel Floating Weightless

Destruction is fun But cannot be undone Smashed Trashed Crumpled

Filler words Put me to sleep Added to cushion Take away my pillow Blunt words to wake up

A palomino gallops Beside the highway Look out the window Rides over green hills Through yellow flowers

Yo te amo Tres palabras Que solucionen todo Para la mujer Tan complicada

Your enthusiasm exhausts me This coke is flat The bubbles disperse Leaving a sticky and sweet Aftertaste

We Are me and you Together Two hearts Two minds

My heart breaks A little each day For problems I can’t solve For things I can’t change All I can do is pray

My grandfather told my father when he proposed to my mother on one condition

I will be Forever in debt To my mother Any gift Would come up short

Beside you I am At peace Our love A connection

I am sorry That I cannot be happier I know that I’d be prettier If I smiled If I could smile

The ugliest shade Of green We envy The car The job

I told everyone About you The ugly beast Inside of me You can’t hide