Herculian

There will be tasks
several at a time
worth every dime
none will be more worth
than the task
of winning your mind
again and again

Crikets

There are crickets in the tin cup
Two or three crickets
stridulating in the tin cup
its too loud for just one

There is no light
The tin lamp is out
Kerosene spilled
and put out the light
it spilled from  a knee-jerk reaction
trying to uncover the tin cup
the tin cup with two or three crickets
stridulating

You can hear their wings rub
you just wont see,
for there is no light
and besides the crickets are covered by the tin cup

Dear Landlady

Dear Landlady
I sent part rent
the rest will be late
but before the twenty eighth
Its a short month
you keep the faith

Dear Landlady
please bring back my pail
my towel, and mama she's veil
you did get part rent
and you know the rest will be late
before the twenty eighth
of this short month
so keep faith

Dear Landlady
cut down the broadcast
and gossip that's scripture laced
you need not justify the hate

I'm certain I sent part rent
with a late note for the rest
just not twenty eighth late
where is your faith??

Two minutes to midnight

Two minutes to midnight,

I will not be going home tonight

I have no home

Feet swollen and smelly

Socks clammy and stinking

I miss my girl

She won’t sleep next to me

I won’t hear her bother me

Breaking into play
Digging her feet into my ribs

Punctuating that with attention cries

Two minutes to midnight

Cold toes on a cold tiled floor

I could wear socks

But how will I wash them?

I could wrap a blanket

But the guard is peeping curiously

Who owns an office and sleeps at work

Two minutes to midnight

Six hours to daylight

To peppered face and brushed teeth

To clean clothes and new muse 

To daybreak