Thought Platter

Things I had to get off of mind real quick one of the few poems i wrote in freestyle flow....

Mixed emotions served up like a pupu platter
They say reach for the stars but don’t provide the ladder
Who is “they” anyway??
Cause we quote them a lot………
I’ve had down time
My floors got clocks in it
Wishin I could reverse time….toc-tic—toc-tic—toc-tic
But you cant get it back once its spent
My pennies are pinched why can”t my seconds be too??
Sneezin on purpose so someone could say “Bless You!”
Cause Lord knows I need it
And as my inhale greets my exhale to confirm I’m still breathin
I realize I'm already blessed…..am I greedy cause I want more?
Cause I do!
I met a woman on the train with a nice frame
She was an older lady so me undressin her with my eyes I refrained
But I was tempted that’s a confession
Her face had a scowling expression enough to piss off her reflection
She sat next to me and looked me deep into my eyes
I saw all her hurt…as well as she saw mine
As she reached in her purse she asked me “do you have the time?”
So I replied “Its 4:34”
And from her purse she pulled out a pack of Newports
She reached for her lighter and the cigarette she began to burn it
As she blew smoke in my face she said
“Sometimes I think death would be a sweet alternative”
a sadistic laugh followed her last word……
Then people started to complain about the smell going around
“Hey Lady could you that cigarette out!?!”
She leaned over to me and whispered once more
“If you want something outta life you gotta kick down the door
I needed this cigarette I couldn’t wait a second more
forget what people say, forget how they feel
I wasted a lot of time in my life
I’m about as useful as a square-shaped wheel
So do what you want and do what you feel but most of all do what you need”
The train stopped and she got outta her seat
As she walked to the door she turned around and winked
On the seat she left a note for me to see
It said “Don’t be like me, but be like me”
P.S.-if you don’t get it now you’ll get it later –Hortense Waterfield


Stephen Pulliam Jr.