Aisle 2



Aisle 2

Not a 10.
Not a 1.
Not the smartest.
What would they say?

I see her trying to figure out
which bottle is the perfect one
out of all the diet pills we offer
on the shelves of Aisle 2

She’s probably in 8th grade
and willing to do
whatever she thinks girls do
who don’t live
on Isle 2
Z

 

Aisle 6



Aisle 6 

2 of chicken
3 of tuna
2 of turkey with gravy
3 of a seafood blend

He was collecting 10 cans
of cat food on Aisle 6
There was a coupon he’d clipped
for a good deal—if you buy 10
Carefully, he cradled the cans 
stacked in 2 rows of 5
In my opinion, he should have
grabbed a shopping cart

He tried to hurry
but was halted
by the magnetism 
of toys
She deserves the world
he thought
and then recalled
what the cashier said
the last time he was in:

Sometimes the best things choose us
6 words he loved
and made so much sense
to him

He paid and then left
with his own reusable bag
Back to the castle 
where a queen lives
and rules Isle 6
-Z






 

 

Aisle 1



Aisle 1 

A man picked up a bottle
It was just the two of us
there on Aisle 1
He examined the label
I was working only a few feet away
stocking razors on a shelf
Go fucking figure!
I heard him clear as day
I stopped what I was doing
He looked over my way
and he said
Now! you people decide
to carry this shit!
SPF…whatever the fuck
Then we locked eyes
and he said to me,
If a woman ever tells you
to go back for this bottle 
of freakin’ dumbass sunscreen
and you already had
everything else planned,
packed, and ready
back at home—
Go on that trip alone
Lay your ass out in the sun 
without this damn lotion
Get yourself burned!
…with no wife…
I put down the box of blades
to give him his space 
He clearly needed a moment
with a bottle of SPF 30 sunscreen
on Isle 1

-Z

Aisle 3



Aisle 3

Her arm is long and kissing
and she’s gliding down Aisle 3
Eyes widening—as if she’s meeting
a new friend in every piece

OMG! Did I really just see
a sleeve reach out and halt her?
Seriously, something strange
just happened—before my own eyes
to our beloved shopper

I see blushing
I see satisfaction 
I see spinning
I see blooming

Did a red jacket really choose a lady
in the shithole
where I work
on a Tuesday 
on Isle 3?

Z

 

More doorknob pieces

As I was reviewing photos earlier, it occurred to me that I never posted the last doorknob pieces I made. Although I have not been making them as often, I definitely want their images to have a place here. They are all special and part of a crew. Here they are:


-Z

Rained Out

Today was supposed to be a pool day. I have been determined to make it happen. But, the weather had other plans. I have not been swimming this year, but seem to be waiting for something. What if something never comes? Could I go the whole summer without swimming? I already know this is possible when it comes to going to the beach… don’t get me started. So, when the rain and lightning came this afternoon, I decided to write a little poem and stay inside—instead. Sounded nice and soothing out there, at least. Not giving up yet. I will swim!!



Some other summer

I hear it in your voice
It’s not the sound of 
the rain
that makes you shudder
Plans you wish you hadn’t made
are haunting you, now
They will never be 
in our past 
So, now, you mention weather
But, I know you—and what is true
We might as well start planning
for some other summer 
for me and you

-Z

Art swap between friends

Here, I am attempting to wipe some of the dust off of my blog. Just gonna go…

Today, I received a package in the mail from my friend Jerielle. Earlier this year, she asked to buy a piece of art I made, but I was insistent that we—instead—barter. She has been making lovely “Daily Doodles” I have always adored. In the past, I have even tossed around the idea of getting a tattoo.
Anyway, I sent her the doorknob piece pictured below and she—in exchange— sent me one of her doodles I have posted underneath. I just love my friends and their art and seeing their art and having a piece of his or her art in my home! Makes me SO happy and I will never stop seeing the light from the creative sides of the ones I love. 


Z

Days of Wine and Knobs

Lately, I have, undoubtedly, been neglecting my writing. But, I have been quite busy making crafts—when I am not working my day job. Do I smell a hint of change in the air, there? I sure hope so. Anyway, here are some doorknob pieces I just made for my amazing friend Cathy. She was cool enough to ask me to make 4 for her. I am often reminded of how blessed I am to have the most amazing friends in the whole world. I added a couple other things to her package before shipping it off.

—Z