Patience

To have
just the time
and the good luck
to sit and watch
all one day
some thing
that never
moves.

That’s how
I remember
Morocco
and the hands
of the old Turk
drooling saliva
and a little
life yet.

Reading The Alexandria Quartet
(While Building the House in Spain)

me gusta subir con una manzana
para observar así masticando
la dura textura de la fruta
la obra y el progreso que hacen

Pursewarden too was fond of apples
the apples he ate while he worked
all the cores they found in his unkempt room
littering the floor, under the bed

The Past, Present and Future Tense of Desire

rooting around
in the underground garage again
on the trail of that sixteen millimeter
bolt-headed screw I needed,
with other concerns
on my mind,
I came across
the silk scarf she left behind

Hunger

She grips the headboard and
braces against his thrusting,
abandoning her mind the way
she surrendered her soul

not an hour ago to the guy
who bought her a hamburger
with an extra large order of fries,
encouraging her to eat, eat, eat

cause you never know when
you’re gonna be hungry again.

Curt Eriksen has published short fiction and poetry in the U.S., U.K., India and Spain—in Anemone Sidecar, Blackbird, Rosebud, New Madrid, 34th Parallel, Contrary, Pindeldyboz, 42opus  and Alba, among many other print and online journals.  More work is forthcoming soon in Criminal Class Press, LiteraryMary and Mad Hatters’ Review.  Curt’s work is accessible at www.clerik.weebly.com.