Harlem To Cannes (+1)

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)