boys cry

I seen the emotion

come into your face

the tears for your brother

you tried to apologize for crying and I wouldn't let you

and I knew then why

I love you

#katyamills

scam

surreptitiously

they wheeled up to her parked car

one seated in the chair covered up by a blanket

the other pushing

it was an age old scam 

while she dug into her purse for change

the invalid would jump up with a knife

block the open window with his arm 

threatening her life

and off with the 

spoils

#katyamills

 

off the ave

they ditched the stolen bmw

on this small road that elbows off the avenue

the only witness the strawberry

moon 

#katyamills

all the machines

the summer still carried faint traces of freedom on its salty humid breath. kids being let out of school. the final bell. plans to fill the car up and travel to the shore and look out and imagine you were at the end of the world. the heat deep enough to melt all the clocks and short circuit the power grid. all the machines stopping. sending us home from work.   #katyamills

June 1, 2023

I confess I am beat up, not so proud, not so smart as I once was, quite shredded from those years of rushing toward danger, trying to see how I match up against things much bigger. I know how to love and be loved. That is enough. I found my place in the world.  #katyamills

work is good

I got off my shift and you just started yours

sleeves rolled up we exchange uplifting words

we are workers. we make our freedom! this is how we live

it keeps us honest. work is good. it keeps us on our toes

it keeps us

#katyamills

5.30

the day before the final day 

in May we went to town hall 

it was cold and gray

we liberated the coffee from 

the crates imported and gave it 

all away. Main Street turned blue 

burners on. nothing left to do

but have a cup and tell stories 

like the man whose home was unmoored

in a storm and floated away

chased out on the final sun ray 

second to last day 

in May

#katyamills