Perfect Costume Idea For This Country
by Misti Rainwater-Lites
This Halloween I wish America would dress up like a
true democracy that truly gives a good goddamn
about its nose to the grind citizens commuting an hour each way
to a job that pays them enough money to stay alive
its dissenting citizens
fed up with our farce of a health care system
and greedy white man wars
veterans coming home with grotesque Halloween masks for faces
missing arms and legs
its mentally ill citizens
being peppered with bullets
by ignorant cops who just want to retire
with a big screen tv and a gingerbread house
with plenty of frosting.
This Halloween I wish America would put down its King James Bible
and its plywood cross and grubby up those graceful tennis ball thwacking hands
with some fucking truth.
This Halloween I wish America would shed its Little Bo Peep costume
and go out to the fields and bring the lost sheep home.
This Halloween I wish America would stop being the snarling wolf
that snacks on lost sheep and says, “What can I do. That is my nature.”
This Halloween I wish America would transform from a celebrity obsessed
latest technology addicted zombie into a Care Bear with a pulpy
rainbow glowing heart.
This Halloween I wish America would cut out the tricks
and start doling out
some treats.
Lies Like Taffy
by Misti Rainwater-Lites
sticky sweet on my tongue
you will always be my beloved muse
my darling man
I am your princess
blissful
in your tower
saffron leaves are burning in suburban funeral pyres
the black sky is brilliant with constellations
ninja turtles power rangers super heroes
ballerinas bunny rabbits cheerleaders
begging for handfuls of candy
our porch light is off
we are a couple of witches
without masks
celebrating with green candles
Leonard Cohen
and red wine
you cradle me like I am too precious to ever die
you kiss me like I will always be a maiden
never a crone
words of adoration thick on your tongue
like chocolate
for now
all fear
is choked
