A barrel organ

Thousand times played organ hic-ups and screeches: Sima, it was Sima, who hurt me so much. It was Sima, Sima, who took mine children away. I do not know a cure. I run away. Behind me the barrel organ plays its sad tune. Copyright (c)October 2009 Marie Neumann, Pottsville, PA

How I robbed the bank

It was four o'clock morning and I found out I ran out of the cigarettes. My valet, all my pockets were also empty. All my money was in the bank and it was now closed, but children have their piggy banks. I sneaked into child's bedroom. Pink piggy bank stood quietly on the desk dreaming it's wealthy dreams with blue eyes open. I took it softly into my hands and tiptoed out of the room and to the kitchen. I shook it. The change was jiggling. I knew money was there: weekly allowances, pocket money, tooth fairy presents... I will be not able to get out dollar notes. I turned the pig upside down in the hope some change will fall out. Nothing happened. The opening on the top is quite narrow. It's meant for putting money in, not digging them out. I didn't want to destroy the piggy bank. It's such cute little piggy with turn-up sweet snout and long eyelashes. The child even took it to the bed with her for a while. I didn't want to steel money, only borrow enough for a pack of cigarettes. I used a kitchen knife to get out enough of coins for one pack, than returned the piggy back on the desk in the child's bedroom. The piggy bank was facing the bed without expression. When I smoked the first cigarette I comforted myself: I will return everything back with some interest. The child will not notice anything and the pig will not tell. It's morning and time to wake up the child. I enter her bedroom. She is standing in her pajamas at the desk holding so much lighter piggy bank in her arms and both of them are silently looking at me with their blue eyes. That night I robbed the piggy-bank. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann, 10/30/2009

In her shoes continued

Remove the dentures gently wash them in warm water and gently put them back. Change the pull ups, place the john under them - smile. Talk to children, calm their worries. Hand rosaries, don't respond to curses. There is full moon tonight and you are on the grave shift. Change the diapers, call the priest, calm the fears. Call the doctor. In the morning strip the bed, change the sheets and say little prayer in the hurry for departed, when you are eating your breakfast. New patient is coming this morning. Change the diapers, shave the face, shampoo the hair. New patient is coming tonight - smile. Rest your feet. Copyright (c) 10/20/2009 Marie Neumann, Pottsville

In her shoes

You are teacher's aid today. You are in her shoes for one whole day. You are lucky you know the sign language. Change the diapers, wipe the behind. It's time to go to the nursing home. Change the diapers, wipe their behinds. One by one clean the beds,feed them breakfast, give them sponge bath, brush their hair, shave what has to be shaved, change their clothes - and smile.

Mosquito

I don't know why a mosquito is buzzing around my eye. It remembers each word I have ever said and I hear all of them back and it asks for more. I answer with a smile. I have to watch myself now. The mosquito wants my blood as reward for its sad life. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Stephenville,10/21/07

Paranoia

Paranoia bellows, wails and howls. Provoked roosters are fighting to the death. Egged dogs are ripping their muzzles. People set against each other slander, criticize, double-cross, cut their throats, gouge out the eyeballs. Goebbels is laughing. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Stephenville, Texas 2007

Mother

How many crisis daily has to solve mother of four? Bleeding nose, many cuts and bruises, siblings disputes, proper nutrition, diaper changes, potty training, endless dirty laundry, search for always lost socks, luck of sleep, which became chronic? How many crisis daily has to solve mother of five? Just little bit more. Copyright (c)10/2/09 Marie Neumann, New York