Nikki Manos

A GOOD DAY

Know what it's like
to be a stick figure?

Reaching
the
chair
takes
skill
and
thought
and
balance.
Most of all
thought.

I don't
leap.
I
aim.

I check
that
breaks
are
on,
double-
check.

I circle.

I back
up.

My
legs
touch
the
chair.

My fingers
touch
the
arm,
aiming
carefully.

I sit.

I let
my
breath
out.

Today has been a good day.

MILK CARTONS

I want my picture on a milk carton.
I want to read, "Have you seen this MS face?"

I'm not a missing child.
I know the two numbers of my street address.
I know the seven numbers and area code of my cell phone.

But I want my picture on a milk carton.
I want to read, "Have you seen this MS patient?"
I want to be recognized and saved.
I want the world to be my oyster.

Missing children are found time and time again,
their pictures on milk cartons.

I want an oyster.

Nikki Lee Manos lives in New York City. A retired English professor, she received her doctorate in English Literature from New York University. She has edited Diana of the Crossways and co-edited Transforming Genre. Presently, she is delighted in writing poetry and works for children.