An Odd Fish

COWER in kitchen till last moment, forced to serve calamity:
TURBO, misspelled fish adrift on chef’s menu. Shaking proffer to
DUCHY’s puffed up Duke, grown splenetic, long time since famous
PARKA worn in expedition, when he worked for the attention sought.

Unjade me

COVER now the weariness of later years.
MORPH to a child. Behold the new with wonder!
TWIRL for no reason: motion, recent option, is delight.
REFER back. Can I replenish, bring forward joy?

122

EXERT the effort to crush the last
GRAPE so the cup is completely full.
GAUNT faces of mourners can’t see the
THIRD day promised––yet.

Alternate:

GRAPE Kool-Aid refreshes the
THIRD group to come through as the
GAUNT faces of the adults
EXERT the worthwhile effort to endure.

See more at Notes by Steven.

Homo Mortifer

GAUNT cannoneers move to deadly choreography,
EXERT their all in deadly trance, keep throwing
GRAPE at enemy ships. Of all engaged, they lose a
THIRD—born to a race that sheds blood on land, in sky, at sea.