dismissed as threat
to public,

swatting bat wings
at pass-out
spots,

pitching buttered
popcorn
at

parade of lawmen
mowing-

overperforming-
hand in
coat

plucking tightrope
to hear it
snap

zap crackle pop
of coke-can
candle..

wax sucked from
the tap.



kindled by bonfire of
keepsakes,

a toothless kid still lingers,
likes his candy

by the nickel by
the shovel

sucker sticks in
pockets

stuck
together,

in back row of splash
paint bus,

mostly friendly
girl’s face

that pretty shade
of dirty-

shrugs like age won’t
waste us.