A Declaration of Need

I need you like a novel needs a plot.

I need you like the greedy need a lot.

I need you like a hovel needs a certain level of grottiness

to qualify.

I need you like acne cream needs spottiness.

Like a calendar needs a week.

Like a colander needs a leek.

Like people need to seek out what life on Mars is.

Like hospitals need vases.

I need you.

I need you like a zoo needs a giraffe.

I need you like a psycho needs a path.

I need you like King Arthur needed a table

that was more than just a table for one.

I need you like a kiwi needs a fruit.

I need you like a wee wee needs a route out of the body.

I need you like Noddy needed little ears,

just for the contrast.

I need you like bone needs marrow.

I need you like straight needs narrow.

I need you like the broadest bean needs something else on the plate

before it can participate

in what you might describe as a decent meal.

I need you like a cappuccino needs froth.

I need you like a candle needs a moth

if it’s going to burn its wings off.

JOHN HEGLEY