I Time Traveled Today

I time traveled today. I stepped again

onto the mosaic sidewalk just outside

the university and into the universe.

I was again that book-laden girl:

the one with flaxen hair and brains

that loved to be zapped together with guns

set to stun but sometimes killed with stress.

How strange to be that girl in converse,

bag and “love” when, in present day, I am not

even her shadow. I turned the tassel and left

the other windy city to claim new victims.

You see, in a galaxy far far away I died

in a black hole of snow turned to gray slush

and the lustful desire to be no more child,

but grasping for adult-me like a hologram.

Back in the present day, I fiddle with keys

and back out of faculty parking. I do not

switch on the stereo. It is something

she would do—the me of ramen days. I

notice that snow is coming. I’ll walk to class

tomorrow, be that me of Bachelor’s mornings, but I

will stand in front, and she will never

Be back.

-DaLe 11.8.12

The Biggest of the Four Flowers Sitting on Your Lap

"Lotus Lilies" By Curran

I reflected the golden Sun

until, our water field undone,

you came in your frills and ruffles

to sit me next to cream truffles

in your friend’s parlor. Popular

with her virtue white dress, you are

just the assistant as she plucks

us from the lily pads and tucks

each onto your pale jasmine dress.

Many have fallen with finesse

from your lap to the lovers’ boat

where sat some fair lass with her throat

in lace like yours is now. A bow

bigger than your head, but no beau

to push oars through my home while you

twirl your moss green umbrella, you knew

this was not a couples’ ride, but

you came, hoping somehow the cut

of my stem would bring parlor dates,

and filled dance cards. Maybe the fates

know you young miss, for I shall be

in the parlor tonight. Dance with me.

My name in every slot I’ll put,

give you a longing sultry look

like you have done to me, yes I,

the only lily here who knows

you came for me in courting clothes.

~DaLe 7/25/12