the ocean and

the shore

have this

relationship.

 
hot and cold

and vice versa

–the one purely context

for the other

~practically the world~

the water tips

its caps

(sparkling white, and who doesn’t like that?)

waves,

(high!)

(and advances

as the shore

shimmies shamelessly

in nothing but an apron

–rolling back tide

to show the world its reef

(as it beckons)
 

but the water

puts up a wall at that

point

(and spits!)

several in fact, and as that first wall crashes on unguarded sand

that packs a mean landing, nevertheless

there’s another

­and another

and another

ad infinitum

–that beach must break.

a bully

~fully~

understands

the tactics that are scary. . .

what menaced pace,

which “in your face”,

will keep its victim wary–

–and I should know

I’ve had such foes,

just 3

–but they were hairy

the first

was worst,

and I–accursed

encountered child often. . .

at school and play,

at dark of day,

she found new ways to mock, and–

–cruel she was,

I think, because

we had so much in common. . .

the second,

threatened,

~soul and skin~

she was a woman, grown. . .

a reckless beast,

that trampled peace,

of mind and body, both.

she haunted me,

like ghost, did she,

she could have been my clone.

the third

preferred,

the written word,

to taunt, since she was older. . .

meaner, leaner,

scripted schemer,

bitter–but not bolder…

all thorn, no rose,

she dogged my prose,

she copied over shoulder.

But hope,

was cope,

for tormentors,

to make them run and hide. . .

as was belief

in self-esteem

to leave them high and dry–

–and I should know

since treble’d foes,

were

me,

myself,

&

I.

My bowling shoes

are made of glass,

for all that I’m not dancing.

And glitzy halls,

throw bowling balls,

since princes lack financing.

To compensate

for cent-less state,

I burglarize my closet

—ripping any

loafers penny—

to pad my bank deposit.

Still brogues are vogue

and platforms chic,

my pumps remain the newest…

‘My espadrilles

are decked with quills,

and tip wing-toes the truest…

Abating bane

of heels arcane,

found to plague Achilles,

with Piggy loft

all bets are off—

’cause flying pigs are silly

But heel-clicking

* steel-tipping *

flip-flops shaded ruby?

Now those are kicks

with useful tricks!

At least in famous movie.

Yes, blue suede boots

have walked the walk

my clogging days gymnastic…

But nowadays

it’s Mary Janes,

that trip the light fantastic.

 
magic is unique,

if you want to hocus-pocus

sometimes you have to look at the big picture

–not found in TV stores–

and dig yourself a new hole

. . .

a gofer it hole that may lead to Wonderland

prest*O, change*O

or may damage pipes

–you can’t know until you wave that magic shovel

. . .

(bring carrots along just in case)

Of course, you might try

bypassing the wardrobe,

and go in through the bathroom window, instead.

Wielding just enough Windex to provide clarity

(to see the neighboring yard)

the greener grass of which is downright Narnian–

–still.

(pack pockets with Turkish Delight just in case)

and if it’s kite-free weather,

and houses are grounded

no woRRies!

(be happy)

There are yet options

–a wind machine dba portable fan works

> in a pinch <

a droptop drive in the country

does the trick in time, too,

–just not a DeLaurean–

but the best

second-best

by far

is howling at the moon

since any-where-girl worth her hide knows

you can shortcut it to Oz

~along the rainbow bridge~

skipping black & white altogether

to travel in

Technicolor style

. . .

Keep in mind the trees you can’t see

for the forest

have a helluva reach, though,

and if Kansas is your starting point,

bring Apple ammo along, also

. . .

you know

. . .

(just in case)

my pet daisy is dying

lil’ petals curling black

still

~she loves me~

does she not?

brave face fading

despite cater-pillars bracing her

there is nothing to be done

and love pulling her

to save her…

she’s a sweet pet,

honey bees needing her

no bark and no bite,

soothsayer

and I wonder if I should

bury her all the same,

so she can push herself up

lifting

finding new life. . .

So many ways

to say the

Aye

that all begin with

Y…

and Nay’s

the same

a changing frame,

depending on your style.

I guess

no less

I’ll start with Yes

–a man we all esteem

but counterpart in Nay’s

not Ness

or even in between.

It’s No

like Yo

not Oko, though,

who couldn’t sha-na-

Nah

that’s “no” in lingo

and this time: bingo!

opposite is: Yeah.

which builds the hope

that Nope

and Yope,

are contradicting words

alas, a lack

in our verknack

failed to coin this term.