III
How do we adjust
For the right leg
Shorter, so
We fear
The men limping toward the blaring shore
Except those
Who do not
They skim thin-edged along
And do not.
II
Command: Don’t tweak or complicate
What do we carry to our thanksgiving?
What do we parcel away?
Carve lines straight and strong
Hum the flesh thin, earnest and true.
& do not waste language like another plastic bag
Tied, knotted, tossed into the trash
Another plastic bag.
I
I’m more interested in the uniform
The too-dark denim, hand-hem; the
Wide, egg-white sun-styled shoes, shuffle
Ashore the rug; her basket
Full of New Romance.
for Wayne Koestenbaum