Two Poems

 

Lenny Tries On

a dozen pairs of pants
in the Krabler Brothers changing room.
It's not just which is the best fit.
It's the right color. Sometimes

Lenny wants people to see his legs
and think that they're looking
at a sunset. Or sunrise.
Something always seems off.
Lenny hates to settle for the merely
wonderful—but not exquisite.

The sunset or sunrise fades
into a clear sky. He buys
the pair that maybe,
in the right light, could suggest

dusk or dawn, walks out to his car,
a purple mushroom with four doors.

 

A Match

Lenny often prays
to Judy Garland. "Dear Judy,
send me a lover." Judy grants
his wish and the next day Roy,
a Fedex driver, appears.
After eight seemingly good
weeks together, Roy steals
his wallet and drives away,
looking for more packages.

"Dear Judy, that last one
was rum. Try again?"
When Judy grants his wish,
a ghost named Wally appears.
They're happy together. Wally
can walk through walls, death
to him just a playground.

Lenny says a prayer
of thanks to Judy who
stands by an invisible piano
and sings.