by Amanda Layne
she was young once
a wild goose chase in the flesh
a daring damsel in constant unrest
trying and always doing her best
but now she was dying, failing the test
emotions aside, remain repressed
and hidden behind
peaches & cream
cherry-kissed lips
blueberry eyes
a cinnamon twist
peppery nose, vanilla teeth
yellow, bleached locks
with brown underneath
sit back and relax
they’re drinking again
kick up your feet
it’s about to begin
open the door
greeting mat in a shamble
goodbyes are hellos
avoid neighborhood scandals
no one can know
how hard you try
golden-girl smiles
honey-stuck flies
the camera is flashing
it’s time, strike a pose
today’s the big game
they just mustn’t lose
checkered apron is tied
the home team is behind
salty lashes up to bat
slams one to the sky
down fall the stitches
hanging on by a thread
an old, coded message
back from the dead
just take the chance
go ahead, teach the lesson
and while their heads are all turned
the runner steals second