Raining in the Suburbs

A crow sits
between wet transformers.

The telephone rings and rings
in a house
renovated by
transient cicadas.

Smoke swirls above wine stains.

Castanets scrape their tiny claws
against silk guitars.

A gold-leaf mantel clock’s hips
sweat red dice.

An anorexic moon saunters
past the kitchen window.

***
Alan Britt teaches English/Creative Writing at Towson University. His recent books are Vegetable Love (2009),Vermilion (2006), Infinite Days (2003), Amnesia Tango (1998) and Bodies of Lightning (1995).  Essays recently in Clay Palm Review and Arson. Interviews and poetry (selected) recently featured in Steaua (Romania), Latino Stuff Review and Poet’s Market. Alan received his Masters Degree from the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University. He performs poetry workshops for the Maryland State Arts Council and occasionally publishes the international literary journal, Black Moon, from Reisterstown, Maryland, where he lives with his wife, daughter, two Bouviers des Flandres, one Bichon Friese, and two formerly feral cats.