northfifthstreet poem #17
I’m glad not to be living in one of those
padlocked compounds west or southwest
of town I’m glad to be in enos park where
I’m allowed to hang out a pillow case that
drinks in the fragrance of sun and wind to
perfume my slumbers where I can pin up
a row of voluminous drawers offensive to
the world that being here the schoolkids
across the fence they ask me to retrieve
a ball or can they pick the tulips so what
if they snicker at my clothesline display
chances are they never notice chances are
someone at their own house is hanging out
their own skimpies someone I bet is
humming with clothespins in her mouth
2012 Jacqueline Jackson
I’m glad not to be living in one of those
padlocked compounds west or southwest
of town I’m glad to be in enos park where
I’m allowed to hang out a pillow case that
drinks in the fragrance of sun and wind to
perfume my slumbers where I can pin up
a row of voluminous drawers offensive to
the world that being here the schoolkids
across the fence they ask me to retrieve
a ball or can they pick the tulips so what
if they snicker at my clothesline display
chances are they never notice chances are
someone at their own house is hanging out
their own skimpies someone I bet is
humming with clothespins in her mouth
2012 Jacqueline Jackson
