Yeah, liked that, too…
Doug
On Oct 15, 2014, at 10:31 AM, Jill Jones <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Toothlessed is a good word.
> ________________________Jill Jones www.jilljones.com.au
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Poetryetc: poetry and poetics"
> To:
> Cc:
> Sent:Wed, 15 Oct 2014 07:42:33 +1100
> Subject:Negotiating with Management
>
> Dreamt a snake would clearly
>
> cut me off before I wriggled
>
> across itchy dry paspalum
>
> to the safety of brick steps
>
> on Grandma Beat's front veranda.
>
> So doubled back to confront,
>
> to parlay. I'm only eight.
>
> Can't we cut a deal here?
>
> My Bendigo Crossroads.
>
> Negotiated.
>
> And that pact has dogged me
>
> in all subsequent dealings
>
> with authority. Sure, I remain
>
> unbitten but whatever that
>
> offer comprised, toothlessed me.
>
> In some ways it's been good.
>
> I know I'll never be snake.
>
> But the pound of flesh exacted
>
> set up a chain of compromise
>
> that feels dirty to this day.
>
>
>
Douglas Barbour
[log in to unmask]
Recent publications: (With Sheila E Murphy) Continuations & Continuation 2 (UofAPress).
Recording Dates (Rubicon Press).
that we are only
as we find out we are
Charles Olson
|