Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Beings of Mythology



author’s note:

Allow me to make one thing clear: I am not a belly with its beer.


BEINGS OF MYTHOLOGY

The beings of mythology
have wandered far
from my yard.

When I finally
discovered them missing,
I was a poor sight:
       a belly with its beer.

I was so far gone
I could not even bring myself
to hunt for them.

Only when a star fell
and burned up my back lawn
did I awake
then move on the trail
of those mythical beasts.

First, I uncovered
a shock of hair
in the dusty road.
Then a claw nail.
Some wet droppings
lying in the dirt.
A place where one of them
had skinned a rat.

I knew they’d probably
have their way with me
once I found them.

But I guess that’s what I get
for years of neglect.

© 2008, Michael R. Patton
dream steps
earnest audio

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Sunday, August 17, 2008

Blue Foot



author’s note:

I don’t know if it’s the right or the left.  The picture above shows the right, so let’s go with that.


BLUE FOOT

He keeps the foot
hidden in a sock
in a shoe
and tries to forget
its existence--

but the blue shadow
follows him...

...everywhere.

People sneak sideways glances.
Suspicious,
they whisper,
“There goes Blue Foot.”

No one knows
how the foot came to be blue.
Not even Blue Foot.
Some say
he paints the foot himself
then feigns indifference--
some say
he’s perpetuated a hoax
to gain attention.

But such naysayers have a secret wish.
They want that foot for themselves;
not Blue Foot; they don’t want him.
Just his foot.

But not hidden
in a sock
in a shoe--
no, in bold view:
as bright hood ornament
or better yet
a trophy on the mantel.

© 2008, Michael R. Patton
dream steps
earnest audio

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