michael a griffith

Salvation Dancing by Michael A. Griffith

Salvation Dancing

The gold silk dress comes

to just above her baby-pink knees.

It moves like mercury spilling,

spreading as fire. Tiny red

and orange marigolds shimmy

in a leopard’s spot maze with inky

green leaves. Men in denim watch

as she dances, as her head sways in neon

and the bar’s air fills with heat

as she breathes deep and laughs.

Spaghetti straps slip

down fawn-tan shoulders

as she moves with the jukebox

pulse sweaty and sings.

She becomes the angel half

the people at this bar need,

becomes a devil the other half

fear but still want more than money

and salvation. Rapture in such a place

in that tiny dress of slick flame

amid flowers, funk, and giggles.

Michael A. Griffith began writing poetry while recovering from a disability-causing injury. Three chapbooks: Bloodline (Soma Publishing), Exposed (Hidden Constellation Press), and New Paths to Eden (Kelsay Books). Mike lives near Princeton, NJ and teaches at Raritan Valley and Mercer County Community Colleges.

2:24 a.m. by Michael A. Griffith

2:24 a.m.

Train blurs going past

2:24 on my radio’s green screen

night darkness except the cross-arms’

red lights flashing

the sound the strobe the noise

of motion as I sit still

warning bell clanging still

coming home from O’Keef’s

the noise thrumming thunder over

Hotel California — my head bobs in time

my head bobs in time my head bobs

I see a face.

There’s a small face bright

bright a flash as the long train passes still passing

the yellow cars maroon cars graffitied cars pass

Eyes meet he sees me he sees

as the high note of the guitar solo rings

to meet the wailing bell

Sees the truck now behind me headlights

glare in my rearview engine loud as the train

train now done and the gate arms rise

high-beams me and revs engine heat like

monster’s breath See

the driver’s arm thrust waving long

shouts horn blaring

so I go

drive into the eyes

still there

Griffith Photo (1) Michael A. Griffith began writing poetry while recovering from a disability-causing injury. Three chapbooks: Bloodline (Soma Publishing), Exposed (Hidden Constellation Press), and New Paths to Eden (Kelsay Books). He lives near Princeton, NJ.