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Kayt Nelson

3432 N. Leavitt


This is the last note

Rhonda will drop to 3432 N. Leavitt

before it becomes dust.

Seems strange. Unnerving really.

Things change so quick in the Windy.

One day a two-flat's there. Next day gone.

Same with people.


Last she met at his place

several solstices past, he had her wait out back

in such heat, while he readied for Ravinia.

Must have been a reason. He wouldn't let her in.

She always did wonder.


So she briefly melted into weathered red steps

biding her time, gazing upwards

past dents in the siding

into the beautiful, bony arms

of his old tree. She pondered

the stories it must embrace

wondered if the two of them might place

a patch of green peonies

in the thirsty ground around it.


When they cruised up 41,

for the music and cool,

in his crappy car with its leaky tires

just past city limits they took turns tapping

the dashboard mouse a jiggle

to their always excellent mood and conversation.


Under low spreading branches

which held down a certain warmth

they reverently appreciated

the shape of grape tomatoes

the loveliest Brandenburg

the simple reading of his Sunday Trib.


The car is gone now. She misses that stupid car.

She guessed the mouse went with the car.

She misses the mouse.

The house was the second place he kissed her

so of course…


She'll miss that tree the most, though.         



Leaving Covington Woods


Tonight he'll be the death of me,

cleave me, carve me,

compartmentalize my beauties.

I'll fade, but wake beneath memory's shape

dispensing shadows

where in hiding lies his cunning.


He'll heave such bane upon my back

soiled bones in muddied satchels ever thinning.

I'll pray a day he's less to me

than feral ooze splashing wild

against my swellings.


Rife river stone to make my steps

groan of currents be my running

by birch boats laced with gut and sledge

reptilian hedges

where in lying hides my cunning.

Tonight he'll be the death of me.


My oars shall fly, seek harbor lights

so shy, they'll spark behind

a twilight sky in hues of palest grays

to rose of cherished maidens dancing.

A blush I'd dared not know

I'll not release it's glow

I'll brace my knotted cheeks

come every wave a crashing.


By shadow falls I'm gone. My sorry place

say done, save for empathy and bidding.

The slate wiped free by me, replaced

by my decree, born this day a will to be

where in cunning lies my hiding.


Tonight he'll be the death of me.


[Index]

Thunder Sandwich #26 - Summer/Fall 2005