UNDERGROUND VOICES MAGAZINE/JAMES BABBS


	UNDERGROUND VOICES: POETRY - 02/2012

JAMES BABBS

Always Standing Outside

it was always cold
even in the middle of summer
and it rained a lot
but when it wasn’t raining
there was the threat of rain
and I only smoked
cigarettes from other people
because
I never bought
any of my own
always standing outside
my reflection
in the darkened windows
watching the women
walk past me
all the pretty colors
waving goodbye
as they made their way
quickly to some other place

A Few More Lines

it’s dark now
and the silence
falling over me
like a warm and gentle sleep
one more chance to dream again
a few more lines
before I have to go
and
you weren’t suppose to
leave without me
but you’re gone now
and I’m on my own
waiting
for something to happen
but I’ve been here
for a long time
and nothing ever does

James Babbs has published hundreds of poems over the last several years in print journals and online. He lives in the same small town where I grew up. He works for the government but doesn't like to talk about it. He has a cherry tree and two grapevines in his back yard and several pesky rabbits. His books are available from www.xlibris.com, www.lulu.com & www.interiornoisepress.com.