December 19th, 2008
Link • Audio, Poems • 3 Comments
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Martha Clarkson
HOW SHE DESCRIBED HER EX-HUSBAND
WHEN THE POLICE CALLEDHe’s the man who wants to live on Park Place
but can only afford Virginia, the Pennsylvania line
running through his backyard, fast as a chance.He’s the hat who owes a luxury tax.
He’s a no-trump bid without all the aces. A queen finesse,
eight ever, nine never, that fails to fall
into the dummy just right.He’s down a trick.
Just call him Colonel Mustard, pinning Miss Scarlett
against the conservatory wall but rubbing noses (literally)
with Mrs. Peacock, endowed by her old money.He needs cash and carries a lead pipe.
Slow to ante up, he’s jackpot dreams, quad or flush
scraping the felt for another card
odds turning on the river.He’s a bluff on junk.
He’s the joker pinned in bicycle spokes
vanishing down the street.
–from Rattle #29, Summer 2008
2009 Neil Postman Award Honorable Mention
[...] too many options. Do I go with a whole slew of metaphors, as in Martha Clarkson’s “How She Describes Her Ex-Husband…“: “He’s the joker pinned in bicycle spokes/ vanishing down the street.” [...]
[...] “How She Described Her Ex-Husband…” by Martha Clarkson (425) [...]
One of my favorite top ten poems posted on my work board.