Author: David Wright

BERET:
CATTYwampus and fluorescent pink. Parka:
PUFFY, flashy, clashy orange. Kid’s got moxie, flair,
SPUNK-makes a splash. Zowie!

LOWLY custodian, mopping late. Did he just see-a
GHOST? Scrambles through hallways, staggers outside just as
BLAZE of evening sun rests its weight down,
BAYOU catching crimson fire through the trees: his heart has no wall between fear and awe.

DRYLY assess growing gut.
SPANK, singular of Spanx, maybe the one spank will be enough?
KNOCK it, but gotta do something. It’s either the spank or
PUREE of celery and rice cakes for the next half year.

CLIMB a high horse, flexing
WRIST to point an angry finger. Those
LEERY of the blame game are yet
PRONE-if you crowd their patience, crowd their grace.

KNAVE, armed with spirit knife, plus raging
NEEDY black hole heart, caved in by never knowing “no”.
SKILL: to be green screen, turning fear and malice into live action.
GLOVEs and masks can stave off germs; but here the cure is a faith we may have lost.

MERRY! frolic we now ‘cross the meadow, say I.
KNOCK me over with feather, you reply,
SHOVE me a bit, but aw shucks is how it plays,
USUAL badinage that warms my days.

AROMA stew in lab whiffs of alchemist’s pursuit,
FIFTH element or philosopher’s stone the quest.
DRIVE for new techne to tame and harness like
YEAST for bakers. Yet Faust aims not for bread.

FLUKE of anchor glints back sun from A&R man’s yacht .
VINYL made him, his sense for sound. Digital will now
QUELL his streak. Hip hop bravado will have
TAKEN over songs. He will brood as waves rock the boat.

CREST of hill beckons up above, in the air and light beyond,
PRIZE for my labored trek up, begun down-hearted, trailing
MONTH of vexation and scarce attention, yet now,
LEAST encumbered moment, remembering it all can be set aside.