The Tomato-coloured Couch 4:00pm
My Back Was To Him
His Fingers Cut A Loose Thread
Dangling From My Hem
The Hawk West Desk Window 9:25pm
I have slid through
the doors of powerful men
been followed home
by a complete rainbow
then there was a third thing
but I’ll be damned
if I can remember It
The Tomato-coloured Recliner 4:30pm
Dear Bill N Lacy:
–
You know why I handed you all those pathetic love letters while I was a student at Cooper Union and you were President? I was youthfully in lust with you, no matter what the letters said, and you were correct never to have replied.
–
After I graduated, I gave you hand-knitted socks (not knitted by me) with a note for cold feet, and months later you said, “I still have those socks –”
–
I said, “Now you don’t need them –”
–
“Why?” you suddenly asked, and I sang out, “Because Now It’s Spring!”
–
(I was about to ask my children’s father to marry me.)
–
Two husbands later I am keeping up my record — this time for over twenty years — and the object of my attentions is a small leprechaun from Scotland with whom (I’ve told myself) I would travel to outer space.
–
I hope this letter finds you well.
–
Yours truly,
–
Joanna
The Tomato-coloured Couch 2:15pm
Once, long ago, I was given
a little wooden box
from a man with whom I thought I was in love
the little black & green box was given
with directions:
Keep Your Dreams In This
Years later I gave the box
as a going away present
to a young woman
who was off to France
& once, years after that
I asked her about the little black & green box
& she said:
I think Leham keeps his marbles in it
Joanna Gilman Hyde 