Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published‘23 Six Years a Wife

When it’s Christmas
at Graceland and his sweat
—Elvis’, that is—
bygone king
pours but the keys pour more
rain down on me since Rapid City ‘77
nothing those spent red soda cups could hold
busy holding him together with suit sequins and leather

Just like the melody, thank God
It’s unchained. May we all be.
rivers get lonely, too. How could that be?
swim, stay next to me. Resembling eternity.

The devil takes the water,
The devil makes it mine,
The devil tells me, Quiet now,
All will be fine...
Just give me all your power.

But when it’s six years a wife
and nearly two a mother, thank God
The waves make clear—
The fight is surrender,
The devil makes you choose
—dignity or else—
tortion is just another dance

Spell with your hips,
tongue and lips—
I am in love with you.

[archival] for the curious, these diary entries (and jukebox time capsules) from the same time period in past years:

• ‘22 Wars, Dynasty, Rules, Gifts
• ‘21 Note Your Victories
• ‘20 I’ve Got My Eyes on You
• ‘19 HAPPY SATURNALIA
• ‘18 EMERALD DALZIEL

jukebox