Dog, you, me, dog

dog

you

me

dog

Lined up 

on the bed

Pressed together

A living panini

on a sheeted plate

Our essences mingle

wrapped in heat

wrapped in sheets

Warm, gooey, cozy treat

Sandwich perfection

dog

you 

me

dog.

submitted for Imaginary Garden With Real Toads, Open Link Monday

The Family Circus

The circus is in town!

Look! You have tickets!

No, you may not return them-

Attendance is mandatory so

Pack the family in the car and

LOOK HAPPY!

We know the show is supposed to start at two

We can all read a clock

But some of our best performers are running a bit late

We wouldn't want to begin without them

WOULD WE?

I will be your Master of Ceremonies

Please take a seat

No, not there

Let's begin the show!

For God's sake, try to look like you're ENJOYING yourself!

I know that the magician isn't on the program

I invited him myself

His act hasn't fared well lately so please

Make him feel WELCOME!

Here comes the lion tamer!

Don't you LOVE this part of the show?

A whip and chair versus

Fangs and claws

Will either emerge unscathed?

Too MESSY for you?

Well, here comes the clown to lighten the mood!

Don't be a killjoy-

A little wine never hurt anyone!

 

Yes, we all know the elephant is sad

She tries to be entertaining but

She's just so BIG!

I'm always afraid she'll crush something

or someone!

No, we can't leave her out-

She's part of the show!

What's wrong?

Don't you like the concessions?

Well, you've hardly touched your popcorn!

And we roasted the peanuts just for you!

But don't feel OBLIGATED or anything.

Look up there!

The tightrope walker thinks she's above it all!

It's a fine line 

between up there and down here, sister!

Don't get shaky--

You just may FALL!

Unbelievable!

The show is over already!

Applause, applause!

Drive safely, folks and

We'll see you all here NEXT YEAR!!! 

submitted for Poetry Jam, Under the Big Top

  

Family Photo

Image Credit: M. R. M. :http://my.opera.com/

Every year it's always the same

"Never again!" I swear

Perhaps someone different but someone to blame

Why do I bother to care?

I just want to have a little memento

Of our happy family days

But taking the picture brings me such torment-oh!

It puts me right into a craze!

First the weather looks fine with the sun in the sky

Then suddenly it starts to rain

As soon as it clears and we've all gotten dry

The little one's shirt has a stain!

Then there's the wiggly, fidgety ones

The ones who will never sit still

As soon as one sits down, another one runs

These brats are a test of my will.

And you just must see the facial contortions

That I have to view through my lens

Silly behavior beyond all proportions

And two of them baring rear ends!

A nice family photo is all that I seek

A picture of those I hold dear

But all that I have is frustration and pique

Perhaps I'll have more luck next year!

submitted for Short Story Slam, Week 10, at Bluebell Books