marriage | The Juice Bar

“IN CONCERT” by Alexis Rhone Fancher

Posted on January 17, 2010 by lkthayer

the couple sitting in front of us

got up abruptly, moved down an entire

row to vacant seats.

die-hard Madeline Peyroux fans, he said.

why? was I loud?

you were an asshole.

really?

yeah, you kept talking, and hooped and

hollered after every song.

I love her. I’m enthusiastic, I said.

you were an asshole, he insisted.

yeah? well, you shouldn’t have given me that

4th vodka rocks, I said.

I don’t remember pouring it down your

throat.

you twisted my arm.

maybe. but you were the asshole.

really?

mmmm.

did I embarrass you?

no. I’m with you, baby.

thanks.

for what?

for loving me when I’m

an asshole.

de rien, cherie, he said.

Photo & Poem by

-Alexis Rhone Fancher

for Fancher

“NOW I LIKE YOU” by Alexis Rhone Fancher

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lkthayer

Fancher & Alexis

I used to like bad boys,
but now I like you.

I choose you in spite of my previous bad choices.
I choose you because you’re not my type.
I choose you although you make a good living.
I choose you because you’re not James Dean.

I used to like bad boys,
but now I like you.

I choose you although you are kind and mature.
I choose you although you won’t forget my birthday.
I choose you although you won’t betray me.
I choose you although you won’t break my heart.

I used to like bad boys,
but now I like you.

I choose you now that drummers have lost their allure.
I choose you now after two false starts.
I choose you now that I’ve finally come to my senses.
I choose you, and not a moment too soon.

I used to like bad boys
but now I like you.

I choose you to finish my sentences.
I choose you to be my partner in crime.
I choose you to be my nights’ companion.
I choose you till the end of time.

I used to like bad boys,
but now I like you.

Alexis Rhone Fancher

Photo by John Sullivan

“Venus Soul” by Ty Granderson Jones

Posted on December 3, 2009 by lkthayer

Ty Granderson Jones

(a poem for my wife)

SAINT CUPID
SOARED
BEYOND
THE GATES OF VENUS
FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN,
SPREADING HIS BABY WINGS,
RIDING A
RED CARRIAGE
BEARING TREASURES OF
UNKNOWN TRUST,
CRYSTAL COMMITMENT,
PURPLE MYSTIC DUST,
PARTING
SWEET VANILLA CLOUDS
AND JASMINE DEW
FLOATING
THROUGH
AN OCTOBER SKY
DELIVERING THE SOUL
OF MY CREOLE
ANGEL.
CURLS
SWIRLS
LIPS LIKE PEARLS.
A CARAMEL FELINE
TRANSFORMED INTO
GOD’S ARROW
PIERCING MY HEART
MY SOUL….MY LIFE,
ON THE EVE
OF HIS BABY JESUS DAY

Ty Granderson Jones

Ty & Danielle

“Slavery” by Leslie Thayer Mann

Posted on December 1, 2009 by lkthayer

Leslie Thayer Mann - @ Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Almost every minute of it
Was bad for me
The ambivalence the anxiety
More than
Just a shift in blankets
Or where the moonlight fell
It was a
Trudging on eggshell hell
That went on for miles
Cutting my feet
Shutting down my heart
Slicing out years and vitality
Choking from a noose of isolation
I dangled
Parched from disregard and neglect
I drank
Demeaned by harsh words
I shrank
Into a shadow
Of the self I might have been
My arms twisted
I was ordered about
My knees bending and buckling
I was dominated
And broken by the struggle
But for you
I smiled and hid the darkness
‘Til you were on to me
And pushed and prodded
My breaking free
Now I am recovering the loss
The beauty and the passion
That glows within me
And no one
Will ever trick me again
Into slavery