Open Carry

The classroom door is open. 

Sweaters, yellow, red and blue 

Form a color wheel of children,

spellbound

on the bright blue storytime rug.


Strobe lights flash. Open–

toed stilletos and leopard brogues

move in rhythm.

The dance line surges forward. 

A young man calls to his husband, 

"Save the last dance for me." 


Two aisle seats are open.

Rows of glowing profiles

reflect exploding colors off the screen.

Fingers filled with popcorn,

others holding only someone’s

hand in the darkness.


The ancient ark is open.

In dove gray suits they chant the Saturday Sh’ma .

Ancient  Ancient  Ancient Ancient

Holy       Holy       Holy      Holy

In the temple voices rise,

and then they fall.


Men in dark ties open

meetings called to order

at polished boardroom tables.

They set their sights

on politicians.


Deemed essential, gun shops open.

Record-breaking sales report across the land.

In the boardroom, 

celebratory rounds

of whiskey shots. 

From the Series Open Carry

From the Series Open Carry