by Tina Barry
I don't remember the name of the boy in high school
or if I cried at his funeral
careful not to smear mascara
hoping after the priest spoke of God's will
weeping girls vowed friendship in the afterlife
I'd be beneath the arm of a boy
in a paneled basement
too stoned not to laugh
I remember potato chips' greasy aftermath
girls' patchouli guys' sweat
the boy in high school's pink scalp beneath thin hair
train track of ribs
as wind lifted him in the parking lot
tumbling arms flapping to entertain
The girl who sat beside him on the bridge
the end of her joint blinking, said
after his hat scarf plaid jacket
his jump was just like that day in the parking lot
Arms spread wide
floating
to
water
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This is in the recent issue of Lost in Thought magazine, with Fictionauters Michael Gillian Maxwell, Gloria Mindock, Bud Smith, Jen Knox, Linda Simoni-Wastilla and others. Thanks, Robert Vaughan for including me!
There's a beautiful photo by Martin Hernandez that inspired this, but I don't know how to post it here. Check out www.lostinthoughtmag.com. Better yet, buy a copy!
nice.
Splendid imagery. Inspired concrete close.
I'm sure this is the hit with all the guys. Me too. Nice.
I'd be beneath the arm of a boy
in a paneled basement
too stoned not to laugh
*
Thanks guys!
It really (for me) defined that somber yet innocent way of youth in being affected by yet outside the circle of tragedy. Nice.
A great trip -
"I remember potato chips' greasy aftermath
girls' patchouli guys' sweat
the boy in high school's pink scalp beneath thin hair"
Nice work.
Thanks Susan and Sam for the kind words about "Float to water," and the stars!
Stunning. It's amazing how much you pack into such a small space.
"to water" ... the end. This one will haunt me for days. Fav.
Thank you, Jake!
Good Tina.*
Thanks Joanie!
Good work. *
Good work. Love "train track of ribs." *
Thanks Beate and John for the kind words about "Float to Water" and for the stars. Much appreciated.
Tina, I loved how haunting this felt the first time I read it. Now, for the hundredth time, I still have this sense of those who leave their physical forms early in this lifetime...such an honor to have your work included in the stellar talents of Lost in Thought #4! And I agree, paired with that photograph? AMAZING! Congratulations! ******
Thank you Robert, for the kind words, the star, and for being such a great supportive friend.
Beautiful, fave*.
Thank you so much, Gloria!
Lyrical and lean, Tina.
Thank you, Gary!
This is great, Tina! Really fine.
"I remember potato chips' greasy aftermath"!
(consider "whether" in place of "if")
Thanks, Bill! Glad you like "Float to Water."
Great. Now I'm floating.
Thanks for reading and commenting on "Float to Water," Tim, and thanks for the star.
Tina! Loved this in the magazine! Such a cool poem. Really like the "in a paneled basement too stoned not to laugh" as a juxtapose to the quiet horror of a funeral. Love the wood paneling. The hippy stink of patchouli, the greasy potato chips and the arms flapping in the parking lot. Life vs. death ... life wins here for once. Thanks for sharing.
*
Thanks, Bud, so glad you enjoyed "Float to Water." I thought your piece in LIT was great too. Really enjoyed it!.
Interesting piece. *
Thanks, James!
Thank you anonymous star-bestowers!
so wonderful. this is lovely and haunting. thank you for sharing it.
Thank you so much, Mary-Kim for reading "Float to Water," and for the star. Big welcome to Fictionaut!