Viva Voce

The city I come from is a place I've never been. 

Maybe those who wander really are lost. 

I've never been good at scuttling floors. 

I definitely don't have ragged claws.

Come to Miami, I will give you lots. 

Perfect promise from his perfect lips. 

Deep glow of skin better than SOFLA sun. 

Come to Knoxville, it's what Mike Jessie did. 

Viva Voce, living voice, it's more like vanishing.

Come to Atlanta, my bed will usually be made up. 

Sins of the flesh have always been reasons to relocate. 

Come to Virginia, we speak real life English every damn day. 

Hell, migration is always easier the fifth, sixth or seventh time. 

Come to Boston, I swear the Puritans don't let anyone smoke ever. 

You know grandma's sweet tea tastes better five thousand miles away.

Come to Orlando, the hoarding masses will love you, and then eat you alive.

Reviews

[smalltownsympathies]

At first while reading this, I felt it a bit rushed and scattered, perhaps disorganized. But as I continued to read it, and reread for the second, third time, I realized that it's part of the wandering, the scattered, misconceptions---'hell, migration is always easier the fifth, sixth, or seventh time'
I love your work. Have I mentioned that? :)

[c.m.]

Loved this piece...nice job.

[BL McKinney]

Thanks guys. You both captured the intent of the poem perfectly. :)

Seems like you haven't quite figured out what you want out of life yet. where you want to move, where you want to go, etc.

and it's somewhat funny how you can live in one place for years,
yet it's strange to you.

meh, just my nonsense rant.
good write.