6 poems
by Ted Powers


PLEASE LIGHT UP

When a utensil breaks
its usefulness is drastically
decreased, halved
then divided again
by a mystery number.
It is a strange equation,
one I follow like a flea
on a leash on a longer leash
being taken to the circus
and crushed by confetti.
What I'm trying to say is
I don't like this place
so I'm running for mayor.
With the drugs I run
I will be in good shape.
I will also be rich and powerful
and high on drugs.
My phone will ring and I will
hear my favorite song
though my phone is on vibrate.
When I pick up, I'll be
on the phone!

+++

Dover is the surprising capital
of a bunch of states.

+++

I have many incriminating secrets
I will tell you in person
so as not to leave a paper trail.
Because I am impatient
I wait for my door to not knock.
It is almost instantaneous
that I feel better
to see my psychic
out sick. I sit on benches for hours
for lack of a better term. I can see
there should be something else
going on here, another person
creating dialogue with me.
Instead there is just me
and the second me
who feels the first me
uses words like 'just' and 'only'
too much, that he does not
believe words can stand up
on their own. And it's true,
he doesn't. He has many
incriminating secrets
he will tell you in person
so as not to leave a paper trail.

+++

Floor
I want to do with you
what vines do with walls.

+++

Things I want to ride:
The printing press.
A UFO.
My trusty steed.
Many waves of regret.
The boat home.

+++

A house shaped like a boat
is hard to imagine.
I'm not asking you to.
What I'm asking is much
cleaner, much more propellant
in water. I want you
to find me in the world
and tell me a story
you've never heard.