Those living in Harlem
want to move to Midtown
The people in Midtown,
to the Upper West Side
The Upper West Side,
to the Long Island Shore
The Long Island Shore,
to Aspen or Vail
Aspen or Vail,
to the Champs Elysees
The Champs Elysees,
to the beaches in Cannes
People will search for where
life can begin
A place that remains distant
and far out of reach
An excuse to look outward
and not in themselves
Theirs souls left in turmoil
—their hearts not at rest
(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2018)
Tick, Tick, Tick
Knowing the answer,
excuses imbue
The right thing for others,
never following through
A feigned double standard,
the past in pursuit
Reckoning scheduled
—payment en route
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2020)
The First Cut The Deepest
Finally hearing your own voice…
don’t ever, ever, ever
—edit it away
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2020)