Very Bad Archive
dynamics of sobriety and alcohol in a quick moving vehicle
Horseradish Hen
Your lean erases the center
between the seats
even with your lap-belt on
I can cup your head with my chin, shoulder
Lace my right hand with two of yours
brace back your body with my elbow
and drive on beyond the sulfur and smell of cows
I tell you “that’s a lie
Try again
Try again
Because I love you
Because we all do”
You know but
You want the list from me
As I gun down the interstate
Shoulders pinched for support
… frame …
I’m trying to trick you now
Since we’re traveling fast enough
To be serious
That was my intention
But when I asked you
or told you
(it was illustrative …)
oh now I recall, I asked you
if you thought I told the truth
when I said,
“I’m happy.
“Do you believe me?
“because I don’t know how well you know …
me.”
you said
“how well I know you
is well enough
to want to”
this floors me
makes me want to hold your hands
for other reasons
than fear you will cover my eyes
while we drive
I remember the reason
We will never marry
My arms would be so tired
Horseradish Hen has published 2 more terrible poems since joining on 30/11/99. Read more of Horseradish's terrible poetry at the anthology. Here are three of Horseradish's latest works: