Seriously?

Without a ladder
I’m not going very high.
I lack the gifts
of leap and grip.
If elevation is about
ambition in your eyes
by that measure
I’ll retain low station.
But give to me
your self-important
arguments and gripes
and watch me,
agile happy monkey,
scramble into my balloon
and rise above them.
Your gravity escapes me.
I will laugh
and lift
away.

- Randall Johnson

(featured in the poetry forum 06.11.11)

Ambiguity

The road’s center line is just one
person’s opinion
albeit well-considered,
more suggestion if measured
than actuality.
See the sun?
It doesn’t fuck around.
Vernal equinox is
never approximate.
But staring at the sun
is making me
blind.

- Randall Johnson

(added 06.11.11)

Flood Warning

Idiot River is full to its banks
sandbagging crews will lose
though they persist
the logical thing to do
they knew
but no longer know
now wondering what (or if) to think
since thinking doesn’ t stem the flood
of idiotic rising mud

- Randall Johnson

(featured in the poetry forum 04.24.11)

Blood (Letting)

Razor words
cut quick
deep gashes,
thin-tongued blade
gone in a silver flash.

Close-mouthed,
the edge concealed
again,
hard lips reveal
nothing.

The flayed opponent
bleeds,
unaware that
easy disregard
can cauterize the wound.

- Randall Johnson

(featured in the poetry forum 03.09.11)

Exit Strategies

The cat will not pretend
for long.
Nor will the dog
though truth he tells
sounds nothing like the cat’ s.

Your smile tight
you say we’ ll be okay
and the cat pretends to stretch
against my leg
talons curved to pierce
just enough
and I know it means:
I want out.

The dog barks
at the door
and whines
then barks again.

- Randall Johnson

(featured in the poetry forum 01.21.11)