“I told you it was bad.” “Yeh but it’s okay. I don’t mind being here, staying with you.” Laura picked up the pitcher of iced tea from the nightstand and freshened his glass. “I can get more ice and lemon wedges if you want, you need to stay hydrated, that’s what the doctor said.” She handed … Continue reading
They’d been together for a while and though Betsy felt they got along well enough, she couldn’t put her finger on why she still felt so empty. Was it the carefree way they drove down the road and he sang those lame top forty songs at the top of his lungs? Or maybe how when … Continue reading
I’ve looked at you and agonized for days. I really just need to get away from here. You’re so beautiful, yet infinitely frustrating. And you SUCK all the life from me. I’m deflated. Do I have to do everything for you? I mean I’ve spent every waking second and minute and hour of my day … Continue reading
you delight me invite me ignite me excite me incite this despite fight or flight me you fright i don’t care it’s not fair me i stare can’t believe nor conceive that you’re here me so queer never leave crawl a mile for your smile over glass drag my ass up a hill in the … Continue reading
A man like me Is dead in places If not for you Is it wrong to say That you awaken Yet weaken me? Make me alive When I don’t feel alive? More than survive If not for you Not fade but thrive A man like me Who’s given up If not for you Am I … Continue reading
Moxie sat in the doctor’s office, waiting. Why is it so mandatory to be on time for an appointment but these doctors are always late? A travesty of justice! She spent her time reading an old issue of Vanity Fair, with that deliciously pretentious Christopher Hitchens going on and on about the integrity of his … Continue reading
6:33am I can’t help but think of you. As the light starts to leak over the wide mountain ridge. As the day from its slumber begins. There are thick black clouds overhead but they”ll burn off, they say. Winter looms in all its glory around the bend, but birds still tweet. Resilience. You must be … Continue reading
Momma was in the kitchen and Katie sat on the sofa across from me, relieved to have completed the long and arduous drive down the interstate from DC, what with all those eighteen-wheelers and the holiday traffic from too many states to count. She’d been nervous about meeting the family, but she and Momma seemed to … Continue reading
One that is true, Gentle, loving, Strong, affirming And that is just, Tender, honest, So much better Than the past Mistakes, decisions, Dreams and visions Gone awry Complexities Who’s next? One that is true.
A moment in time And a blip on the screen Where did you go? I am haunted A brief rendezvous Only seconds not more Here today and then gone I am haunted I’m spooked and I’m hexed and I’m cursed and bewitched It’s eerie I’m scared What to do? I miss you so much So … Continue reading
heaven sent a sad lament starlight so bright tonight meant for me can’t help but see your power to ignite from the cosmos how it so goes earth the moon you shine destiny with me you’ll be til then i’ll do just fine rhapsody ferocity starlight so bright tonight.
whaddya want a medal? whaddya need a big brass band? some hoopla umpah sis-boom-bah? whaddya want applause? going through all the motions expecting different emotions that are bigger that are brighter cheered for just showing up finding out but the hard way that it’s your way not my way a hurrah a hooray a huzzah … Continue reading
Wrap me around your little finger I’ve no objections Or scruples It seems Make me henpecked and pussy-whipped I won’t argue Or fuss too much No doubt Quite the contrary That’s all I want To belong to you, can’t you see? More with each waking hour And each passing day That’s all I want That’s … Continue reading
you don’t know me and i don’t mind i know you i’m not impressed so sorry i’ve lived long and hard and good and far and wide and with gusto i’ve been here and there in too many places to mention places you’ve never heard of done things you could never imagine that’s okay you … Continue reading
i hope you don’t mind i told everyone how well i’m doing ever since i met you i hope you don’t care i told everyone how good you seem i shook my head yes and said so with authority i hope you don’t fret i tell people such things often on your behalf if your … Continue reading
i ask myself all the whys though by now i know all the answers i ask myself over and over and it’s the same old answers again too many times to even count so why does history keep repeating? when i know just what’s right and i know all the whys yet still sit here … Continue reading
The garbagemen aren’t bad people. Neither are the ones who work behind the pharmacy counter. Nor the guy you said was going too slow on that downtown street where the speed limit’s twenty-five. I think he was going thirty. And watching for pedestrians. Yelling out the window did nothing by the way but it did grate … Continue reading
you make me wanna rip my eyes out puke in my own mouth and swallow it you make me wanna cut off my own ears and bleed down the side of my neck bang my face against the wall as hard as i can slice open my chest rip out my own heart throw it … Continue reading
i love you but that’s not what’s good it’s the sky now i love the sky but not like before you no i think i just noticed it and the trees and the hills they’re not like before you this must be the first time i’ve seen them but that’s not what’s good it’s the … Continue reading
“I’m really mad at you, don’t you feel bad about that?” The waiter took away her menu. She ordered the moussaka, here where she says it reminds her the most of the moussaka her grandma used to make when she was growing up, the most “authentic” is how she put it, closest to real “old … Continue reading
you tell me what i need i tell you i don’t need much you tell me the things you think i should want i tell you i don’t want anything you tell me what’s best and how i should live i tell you i’m already living til i’ll die you tell me who i am … Continue reading
you’re far, far away not me i’m right here it’s you that is gone and to where i don’t know yes you now you’re gone not so long ago not me you were here i remember your eyes the last time you were here yes you now you’re gone why, oh why, oh why oh … Continue reading
i can’t help it i won’t help it i ain’t never gonna help it the way that i feel when you walk in the room no logic or viable reason for the things that you do what they’re doing to me ain’t nothing that ever could sway make me up and leave you or ever … Continue reading
You’re holding me Vexing me Feels like you’re Hexing me Spooking Rebuking me The thought of you Pecks at me Morning and After noon Lonely tune Here I croon Next to me By my side Make it soon Don’t you hide.
hello there sunshine open your sleepy eyes now it’s time to wake up good morning dreamer the night’s done and it’s daytime and there’s lots to do or nothing at all the coffee’s prepared the newspaper just got here the birds are singing they have a song that’s for you just to say welcome morning’s … Continue reading
I thrill in your absence Sit still here in silence Filled up with resplendence In your effervescence Not fleeting You’re sweet I can’t help what you do Not phony Or fake I can see that you’re true I cave in your presence Stand brave in your wake I wonder and hope That you know I’ve … Continue reading
long gone are the days when I lived for you made sure you were happy watched out for your feelings i waited on you oh well long gone are the times i took steps for you got myself out of bed and made the first move forever reaching out that’s done now things are better … Continue reading
There’s been one too many mornings And way too many days There’s been lots of too much extra In way too many ways There’s been too much pain and sorrow And way too many tears Too many destructive And demoralizing fears There’s been one too many chances Too many fits and starts Too many new … Continue reading
i know you’re embarrassed you drunk texted me at least twenty-five times and I have it here archived on my phone don’t be embarrassed i don’t mind in the least you say you’re sorry you brushed up against me in the corridor on the way to the restroom brushed, more like humped don’t be sorry … Continue reading
I find myself here wrapped in armor That’s when I’m near you And is meant to protect you From the things I could do Or the words I would say But I don’t That’s to protect me And allow me to hide To not show my kinks Cause I can’t What’s happened to me since … Continue reading
Was I ever gonna learn not to fall into the same pattern? It never failed, over and over. I’m the guy that always overestimated people, gave them too much credit. I’m the great encourager. And every time it let me down. Why? Haven’t I acted in good faith? It’s a “belief in fellow man” thing is … Continue reading
I had a dream about you last night. That’s not unusual. I’ve told you about those times when I’ve dreamt of you in the past- the odd plot lines or humorous circumstances where your face has shown up or your presence was made known. Funny how in life it seems about anyone or anything can … Continue reading
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone You’re gonna wonder where I went You’re gonna ask just what went wrong You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone Tell me what was I supposed to do? What would you have done yourself? If you had to travel in my shoes? Wouldn’t you walk on down that … Continue reading
We pass in the night As they say ships do Quickly and briefly Both charting different courses Our conversations are fast And they’re short Way too harried There’s not enough time In the world anymore Is how it seems I miss you it’s true And yes I’m being sappy There’s just too much to cover … Continue reading
I was thinking back to when you used to throw things into the fireplace. Any old thing really. Cigarette packs. Fast food garbage. I’ll admit it got on my nerves. I mean I always worked hard on stoking the fire and making everything nice and you were so indiscriminate with what you put in there. I … Continue reading
You say that you love me But you want it both ways I don’t see any effort So I scramble for days To please and to placate As you sit there and wait For me to do something While you fret and complain That I don’t do enough You ask me to explain What I’m … Continue reading
Hey, I thought about you and it was quiet and measured and a nice harkening back. I thought about you and feel in my heart I can forgive you. I wish I could’ve sooner. I just need you to know. Back then, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t. I know it took … Continue reading
Everything I said fell flat Everything I did you were unawares All the things I tried I tried alone Everything I said fell flat That strange look in your eyes The last time that we spoke You were off someplace else Was I over your head? What I said you looked blank Do you like … Continue reading
They say he died of natural causes. But I know different. I know he died of a broken heart. And how do I know this? Because I always there- mostly on the periphery- but there nonetheless. At this point I think I was the only one. I only think that as not many came to … Continue reading
So it’s mucky. Steamy, you know. The air is thick and warm and a bit intrusive. Heavy. It sticks to the skin and the clothes and in those hidden spots too. Pea soup. I thought about you this morning. Well I woke up and made coffee and sat down in front of the fan to … Continue reading
Pete Armetta 