Back Into the Deep Water

Revising the end of the novel per marvelous comments from several editors who wanted more focus on the relationship of Grace and Worth and less on distracting antagonists.The war is the antagonist now as it always was. My agent and I agreed on a plan and a deadline. Briefly sidetracked by a poetry reading last night.
Two examples of new poems:

NYC Cops 1968

“They worked this place over real good,” says Cop 1.

“Yeah, your TVn stereo are gone,” says Cop 2.

The two cops are in my apartment, guns drawn,

I asked for help

When I came down the block and saw my open1st floor window.  

“Um, well, I didn’t actually have a stereo or TV,” I say.

Sorry to disappoint them.

“Look it in here,” Cop 1 is in the bedroom.

“They freakin’ tossed it,” says Cop 2.

True, my clothes cover bed and floor

Every bureau drawer gapes open.

“I left in kind of a hurry this morning,” I confess.

Cop 2 is shocked. “You left this mess?”

Cop 1 holsters his gun, smirks, “Next time, latch your window.”  

I imagine him cuffing and charging me--

bad housekeeping in the first degree.

Watching  Super Bowl XLVI in a Home Theater

Wow, the screen’s so big,

It’s like I’m there

In Lucas Oil Stadium

And Eli’s throwing the ball to me

Me!

Sitting in a comfy recliner

eating M&Ms,

Sorry, Eli.
I couldn’t catch a cold

Let alone a football.