blind men and the elephants in the room

It breathes on you softly
whiskered like a boy you kissed in college
who smelled like lavender whiskey
This breath tickles
looking for hidden treats in your fists
and pockets
close your eyes

It feels tough
like you'd like to be and aren't
your grandfather had a coat like this
smell of pipe tobacco and wheat
This skin is rough and tender both
under your hands
close your eyes

Smooth and hard
and cool like money
It reminds you of things you wanted to possess
leather and ivory
It smells of loss and tastes like bitten nails
don't talk about it
close your eyes

Sits on your car because he thought it was a circus prop
Steps on your foot when startled
Terrifying vindictive rage
I'm sure it needn't mean anything; mustn't;
close your eyes.

Comments

[patricia]

OMG--I keep reading this again and again . . . closing my eyes at the end of each stanza to blink back tears.

[red]

i love the imagery.
chocolate cake.
i am not smart enough to understand it, tho.
i love the imagery, and see that it all hangs together.
but i do not understand where you are going

[Julia]

So very nice. I like the fragments we can understand, the whole we mustn't (mightn't?).