Not Like The Movies
Susan Richardson

Six punks
with a scabby pup
and a skinny cat
sup schnaps
on the Spanish Steps -
and I'd expected Audrey Hepburn.

A woman walks on the Pont Neuf,
lurches to the edge,
retches,
     falls.
Her womb spurts red tears -
and I thought I'd hear George Gershwin.

A guy on blades
in Washington Square
cries - Hey babe,
wanna play
with my big banana?
when I want to dance with Fred Astaire.

The world is my blister.
I wish I was back in Kansas.

© Susan Richardson