Phibby Venable's Page

Wrecks That Are Human

I mean to pick the sweet mint that grows wild on the hill
beside the railroad tracks, but I hear voices and squat,
narrowed into myself, and listening to the people under the trestle.
I can see them too, a man says, Happy Jack, where the hell
is that wood, and Happy Jack is laughing, which seems appropriate,
and he waves some small sticks, and a woman says, hurry,
it is cold, and it is cold, merely brisk to me though, in my warm jacket.
Lola, a tall man says, get those sti… Continue

All the Suitcases in Cars and Closets

You cross the land mines of middle age
to kiss me goodbye
I tuck your enthusiasm into the pocket
of my housecoat, my eyes smile
you out of my sight, then break
into the reality of hard water
You report back, good weather, clear skies,
the sun of youth striking
through the back window where your bags,
spilling your future, are colorful and easy
to lift into new homes.
My suitcase is packed in the closet,
swimsuits and white linen folded,
among the bubble pip… Continue

Teach Me To Be Smooth

you are so beautiful,
a strut legged piece of swagger,
an eight ball in the pocket
of your choosing.
each day I slip
into an emotional involvement,
a critical situation, and you say
I should relax and always a
damn girl, you are too intense
and I ask for your frosty demeanor,
a touch of smirk, a sensual sideways
glance, or some contempt,
that I might place, like plastic,
on my always too eager optimism,
open betrayals of myslf & opinions
that possibly disappeared with… Continue

Accompanied by the Loser of the World Quartet

Bob said he missed the chance of a lifetime
because Margaret never let up.
She had him busted in every blues bar
and bragged imperial theories
at the counter, with her arms crossed,
serene and confident, she said,
that he was a loser,
and it came to past that he was,
but only because Margaret felt
disrespected,
and she said, why did you sing about
Mitzi in Vienna, Georgia?
And he said that it was just a song,
and how could you tell from a saxophone… Continue