Us, Dancing


Side, together, step-ah, 
Side, together, rum-bah…

Our lessons in the art 
of learning late— 
Me, to be guided by a mate, 

you, to perfect
the touch 
that tells me when 
to spin and how to keep 
my head.

May our suede
soles remember any steps
our brains forget!




​
A Diplomat to Wonder At


What cracked glass is this?
What Queen in sky blue dress
and hat? They match. But
her ensemble weighs too much.
She waits as if she wished
to meet the Humpty Dumpty Beast.

She should have worn
a crown of dandelions,
and a muslin apron
for protection.

What garden game to play?
she thinks. Croquet? Too Crooked.
Chess? Too Cruel!
Let’s hold no games
till after drinks. Bottles
of Drink Me! Tea:

Bring the tea that makes
him shrink, for he has drunk
the one that made him swell.

A trumpet blast! He’s here!
He shakes her hand! O God!
The way his hair
blows up and down!
She hears a scream! Her own.

Off with his head! his hands!
his hate! his plans!

Humptily, the Bloke salutes,
unzips his cape, his pants,
and, smiling, pours pollution
on the grass, on tiny ants,
on tiny guests. The garden’s gone.

He travels on. ​