off to Champ car races

in San Diego or Toronto,

rare cars riding inside

sleek as Picasso’s

worth half as much

fast as lightening

The other half

blooms in a fluff of cumulus

feathery sirrus clouds far above

Life Flight helicopters racing below

back to the airport to gas up.

Who will fly one of these planes

thinking of his love the night before

as he held her arm with one hand

childlike, needy. Safe in bed.

                   ***

Half the Earth

fathers gemstones

with care

deep below its mantle

pressing heated rocks

The other half

mumbles in baritone to itself all night

resentful of its everlasting toil.

Who will wear the yellow sapphire

gleaming like her smile

winking in the little box.

More than the stone she wants him.