Joie Cook (who, for some reason posts from v2fd84a@prodigy.coM> is multitalented poet, performer and musician, in and for the Bay Area. She's currently teaching creative workshops hor homeless men in transition while working on a book of short short stories.



I. "Logic of Love"

When first he came to me,
roses smoking his breath,
my existence was a hat trick
replete with marginal
side show acts
he noticed right away/

Now, part of me wants to
kill him:
a .357 through the mouth/

Another part wants to cradle
him,
in some Moroccan village,
where peasants carry nothing
but sketches of the moon.



II. "Florida"

The burning tree country club
lives here,
in anesthetic pools
of plastic alligators,
where the electric organ
fills the community center
with vibratoed versions
of Gershwin.

We sit, numb, at the bar,
with a glued on expression of
the world at large;
The guests from California we are:
butterfly strokes
in a pool of lithium salts.




III. "The Curry Eating Family At The Seashore Motel"

The woman who runs the Seashore Motel
Is glad to be here;
Here, in Santa Monica,
On Lincoln Boulevard,
Managing a busy sanctuary
One mile from the Ocean

She smiles easily,
Laughs with her children,
Little babes from Calcutta
Cut loose with a green card

Her husband hands out free maps
Of movie stars homes
To any guest who wants one
At the Seashore Motel

They are sad to see me leave,
And tell me so,
Handing me their calling card
As if it was a passport.

Joie Cook

---

---

back to author list