They are vile deposits of hideous evil, but this does not mean
that they cannot be frugal.
Sure, they steal the little soaps or use them
to deface the insides of the windows, but
this is mere mischief--
Their real purpose lies beyond Ramada's flimsy walls.
Perhaps you've written a masterpiece
through diligence and elbow grease.
Beware the visitor wearing the disguise
of a maid or desk clerk--be on guard and be wise
To such limited shenanigans. Devils want one thing--
to clop across the starfields of your creation
in their dung-filthy cleated boots using
every method at their disposal to bring ruination
To the written child of your soul.
Hold up your little cross, they will snap it.
Confront them with crystals, they will pop them like mints.
Appeal to their better nature, those tiny flakes amid the panic,
tilt at their empire with toothpicks and see where it gets
You. Listen to me, little scribbler, I have the way!
Read them home-made haiku by the worst hack that you can find.
You'll see how devils decompensate, fauxku like weevils in their brain!
They'll beg, seize, do St. Vitus' Dance, go goofy, helpless, blind!
De nada, mi amiga. $$$ by Venmo will be fine.
___________
for Word Garden Word List--Mark Strand.
Music: Jimmy Jones Handy Man
I am torn about which pleases me best: the stanza with "Devils want one thing" or the closing address to the "little scribbler" and the closing line. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love the surreal humour and sense of mischief that guides this along - most delightful! Jae
ReplyDeleteAmazing what you've done here, and I can't stop giggling at the tragic ending, yet there's an incredibly adroit pen at work throughout, in language, metaphor and scalpel-like thought. You are beginning to remind me of Neruda, who could write a masterpiece about socks or onions, or anything whatsoever. Your craft is maturing your gift, and vice versa. Fine writing at the top of your (or anyone's) form, Shay.
ReplyDeleteAh, there are devils everywhere! Mostly mischievous, thankfully! So many clever, creative lines!
ReplyDeleteI could devil you with a home made Haiku. So many devils, so many Shenanigans. I love this. I feel like the devil is always at the edge of one of my poems trying to scrub me out of it. Love this poem!
ReplyDeleteNothing like a little haiku to mojo the Oddjobbers! Delightfully dire stuff here. I find a spoonful of Ashbery pops the collar off that ole devil sauce.
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