"Common Ground in Hampden"
by Jennifer Van Buren



this is not the stuff of poetry:
quiche and scone and steamed milk
that hisses to the City Paper groove
of the consciously fashion unconscious.

this is not art:
it is where art drinks morning coffee
to kick you in the ass
get up and find your
own damn something to write about!


you know, down at the end of 37th--
that cat stapled to telephone pole?
that might inspire something to
hang on bulletin boards
with sketch and paste collages
of the guitar dumpster punk
warming his coal stained fingertips
tripping out on promises Ahimsa Yoga
and free shows
(or god forbid drum circles.)

tack it all up on this lazy ass leech
and her attempt to suck creativity
from art-school baristas
who just want to sleep.

top tier spider tree reaches
the pressed tin ceiling and then turns around
for another layer
another returning view.

I just want to sleep
wondering if the scraggled kitty crucifix
was already dead.





About the Author:
Jennifer lives in Texas hill country with her husband and two sons. She is editor of the web-based journal, Mannequin Envy and more of her work can be found at mannequinenvy.wordpress.com.

Email: jkvanburen@gmail.com