The beans

Oh, my gosh, I spilled the beans. What is going happen to me? I spilled the great Northern beans in the red sauce. I spilled them on the floor, on the carpet, over my slippers, on the table and my robe. Some stained my pajamas, some are on the counter. end sauce is dripping down the fridge and the kitchen cabinets. I cleaned it all. Still, I spilled the beans, what shall happen to me? What am I going to eat? I am going to have oatmeal for breakfast. It sounds better than beans. I spilled the beans, oh my, what shall happen to me? Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, 1/8/2011

Pleaser

Our brave sailor drank to much beer yesterday with his friends. His pockets are empty. His eyes are blurry and his head is heavy like a stone - and now his third wife comes and demands money. Money for food. I don't have it. Money for dog food. I don't have it. She is buzzing into his ears. Then she plays nice. At least, money for gas, honey. There goes our brave sailor in the dark to suck gas from other cars to please his third wife. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, 1/5/2010

Teenagers

In these days people complain how much teenagers eat. I remember my son. We joked he will eat us out of the house. In one year he grew up eight inches. "He isn't so bad. It's girls." Time to build bones, time to build muscles. Eat. We have to eat. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, 11/11/2010

Magic of Christmas

Walking to the Church for midnight mass dressed in many layers, because there is no heating in the church. Lada's pictures of carolers all bundled up in white snow. Two pairs of earrings one Christmas. Big family gathering at Barans's and we are invited. Our daughter is dressed like a doll. Crystal glasses, bike and sewing machine under the tree. My sisters throwing their shoes over their left shoulder. It worked. They didn't become spinsters. One Christmas Eve we played with its magic. We let birthday candles float in walnut shells. All but one stayed together. I gave a searching look to my children: which of you will go? Next year I left for seven long years. I am not playing with Christmas magic anymore. I don't want to know. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, 12 27/2010 POW! assignment

Butcher's street

Pulitzer walked up this street. A beard to his waist tucked in a pocket of his long coat. Vladimir waived his hand to him from a distance, when he was writing his revolutionary poetry. Now a dog, an empty bucket in his muzzle, walks the street with a purpose. Pulitzer walked up this street. Dazed street whispers Maiakovsky's verses. The dog disappeared inside of the slaughterhouse. Everybody around here knows this dog. After a while he reappeared. His master is now helping him to carry a full bucket. Pulitzer walked up this street, whole street sighs deeply. Trolley pole shouts Maiakovski's verses, when the streetcar turns right corner. Pulitzer and Maiakovski are now shaking their hands. Which of them has had the beard? I don't know. Did those two ever meet? I don't think so. Butcher's Street was in need of little drama. What about the dog? He is inside of his home now. What about the streetcar? It still sways thorough the street. What about the slaughter house? It is still there. And what about Pulitzer? I doubt he knew anything about Maiakovski's poetry. Nearby Butcher's Street Vltava river washes its banks, and I keep walking. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville 12/10/2010 Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, 12/20/2009

Drug addict

Life is one big party. Just observe, look, steal everything you can. Just do not get caught. You are on the drugs. Go to the source. Observe, take, enjoy. Get free housing. You have no income, your pockets are empty - now, today. Observe. look, take, enjoy. Just don't get caught. Work is for others. It's something you didn't learn. Music, drugs, give me the right buzz. Everything is free, just for taking. If you will strike the proper well you will get instantly rich. Life is one big party, enjoy when you can. Be smart, don't overdose. Have right mixture. There is a risk and that will end it all. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, 12/20/2010

Apartment for rent

Relatives came to pick up a chest of drawers. They took pictures in front of high rise. First all of them together, then one by one. One soul left. There is no need this mouth to feed. I wish to be Buddhist, and this soul in its next life will not have to worry about being lonely. Little bit of grief, little bit of memories, and long way home full of remorse. Time stopped for one short second. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, translated from Czech 12/18/2010 POW! GROW