school uniforms dark blue or black with a white collar
language -- such as it was
redolent in metaphor before we knew metaphors from adam
4th grade -- we boys would chase the same girl
chase is the operative word
like a pack of hyenas runs an antelope down
down the market street
but. this is a story of a lovely lady
of a 3rd grade message
entombed now in my mother's chinese vase
it says: our forces...
it's a kenning and a counterfactual in one
our forces -- standing for having a crush
our forces -- having the crush kept secret
our forces -- peter gabriel singing -- can't you feel
our souls ignite
a pack of 'em -- really just one slender unlit cherootie
you've come a long way baby let your hair (be) down
