Not Quite Enough

He gives his best
When the boss demands more
He gives his best
When the wife wants those chocolate diamonds
That he can't afford
He gives his best
When the kids want those toys
He doesn't understand
He gives his best
When his buddies want him at every game
Play every hand
He gives his best
When every charity in town
Asks him to volunteer
He gives his best
When his sisters want him
To take in the old man
With the tears in his beer
He gives his best
When he slumps into bed each night
Knowing that he gives his best

Kiss, Kiss

Staring up at blurry faces

First, those tender loving mauves

Just gone through quick hell,

Fast heaven

Followed by smoochie, rough

Five o’clock shadow

Placed delicately on my forehead

After watching those rambunctious

Sibling slobberers surround me

So attentive

A few bright red lipsticks

From future mentors

Coloring my cheeks

Liquor breath on top of my head

From a smiling celebrant

All waiting for me to return

The favor with

A wink or a coo.

We Write Poems, Prompt #143

Next of Kin

Looking at the photo,

I saw myself in you

Same jaw and nose

Jutted outward defiantly

Hoping that I could

Crack the code

Of your mysteries

Wondering if we shared

A secretive nature too

Poker face, blank stare

Doesn’t give me any more clue

Than the coat clutched close

Against your throat

From a fierce wind,

Than the documents

Written in illegible ciphers

Than the tree that stood

Anywhere you chose it to be.