From Poetic Asides:  For today’s prompt, write an unlucky poem. Today is Friday the 13th, and I think it’s the perfect opportunity to wax poetic about anything and everything unlucky.


for years now, i have been trying to catch her eye
you know, make a connection
but as was her wont
flighty and feckless
ms. lady luck wasn’t having it.
oh, she’d flirt and coo when she wanted
but for the most part, she made it clear
she was not to be had

believe me i had tried everything
flowers, drinks, cards, dinner invitations
practically stalking old lady
i didn’t split poles
i didn’t open umbrellas indoors
i knocked on wood
mirrors remained fully intact
but ms. luck, stifling a yawn,
didn’t find it clever or original

one day she must have taken pity
and relented, stomping her foot:
fine!  one date.  FRIDAY!
i put on my sunday’s finest
got a fresh cut
even got a mani/pedi
i mean, i’m looking and feeling like
a million bucks

after the first 30 minutes I figure
she’s caught in traffic running late
after the next 30 minutes well,
it was clear
lady wasn’t coming
a little down but undeterred
in my manicured right hand
i put a little salt
chucked it over the left shoulder
and avoided sidewalk cracks
while heading home