“Looking In and Sipping”

 “Looking In and Sipping”

by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán 

Looking in and sipping 

finding singles a match and a love 

“We’re cleared for takeoff!” 

really badly, informally 

like “closed captioning” 

parsed gradually …

“Minor Deviations”

 “Minor Deviations”

by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán 

Minor deviations

literally “high city”

tide types 

like big names

in tea and brownies 

no need to rush

into inklings, informally

as barkeeps …

“Getting Gussied Up”

 “Getting Gussied Up”

by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán 

Getting gussied up/expecting company/ tidying up/serving something yummy from the oven/full of greens/white beans/and chick peas/over heaping cups of white rice/topped by onion/finely diced/followed by slices of pecan pie …

" A Staggering Sum "...

" A Staggering Sum "

by Suzán Jiván
Mom & Mom-
Mom Suzán

A staggering sum
but barely big enough
one way or another

saving up
spending down
gathering dust

"Was Up?"
just being lucky
recognizing
something

holding up
wonderfully
in a cummerbund
start-up

supported
by reliably
pliable stipends

winding up
waist-deep
in silken pleats
of meaning...

Moored at the Foot

" Moored at the Foot "

by Suzán Jiván

Moored at the foot
while quietly stirring
maternal lead singers
of sonic complexity

with sweeping gestures
in trio settings tending
toward forward-
bumbling aggression

in the rhythm section
with concern
for the freshness
of the melody
with heady scents
as intensely-pigmented embellishments

on coconut shells
with citrus zest
in yellows
translating well
as a larger trend

like high-end
potent berries
centuries old
as rose gold

outposts going
stone cold
shown below
between your toes...

Popping Up Again

" Popping Up Again "

by Suzán Jiván

Popping up again
swashbuckling
over some revelers
by scoring
the laugh line
of the night

deadpanned
wheeling
back and forth
on a skateboard
as a fashion choice

sporting wide-wale
corduroys
with platinum contacts
in super PACs
of half-siblings sitting rapt

wearing riding
apparel
combatting sex trafficking
urged on
while slurping vichyssoise
served chilled
as top-notch chicken stock...