The Big Idea

I read this poem at an open mic during Kentucky Women Writers Conference in 2005. It feels appropriate for this day.

She sets up her
cardboard box
temple at the
crossroads over
the mountain pass
on the side
of the road
waiting for one thing to end
and another to begin
waiting for the tooth
to fall out
black and hollow
holding on to
lost children
and conspiring
to lose her mind
she reads the
phone book
and finds all the same people
with different numbers
She asks for the crown royale
like she’s asking for the time
but she’s really asking
if love is going to come
around one more time
and sit down next to her altar
and take away what
sorrow she has left
and take her away
over the mountain
she says
one last time