Friday, June 8, 2018

day FIVE HUNDRED and FIVE

those children

a mewling baby
swings in a basket
woven with duct tape
and nylon ropes

seven men surround the child
seventh sons of seventh sons
the baby cries for mama
while the men tuck in their shirts

“Don’t despair!
You are secure!
And still you swing
so bright and free!”

10 years later
swings a monster
from a rafter
in the basement

spitting snarling
malformed and twisted
safe and bound
free as can be

--Jason Preu

Jason Preu writes in Kansas City. His latest collection is More Poems About Purple Wizards and Neon-Bright Exceptionalisms (EMP, 2017). He may be found online at jasonpreu.com.

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