A Quahog for Walt

“‘The time has come,’ the Walrus said.”

How many inscrutable angels does it take to screw in

a lightbulb? None.

How many mice?

Two, but there’s not much room.

Two of Ma’s favorite expressions:

“It smelled like low tide at Coney Island.”

“She looked like the last whore at the clambake.”

One of Dad’s expressions:

“Your ass is grass.”

Jump the fence, Johnson grass can cut your feet.

Pisser clams seem nonplussed by my poems,

I’m volatile as a quahog in public.

I’m quiet at home too.

We eat, and are grateful.

Night, my head hits the pillow.

Night, I pray my gratitude

and a little fluid leaks out of my left ear,

relieving the pain. Lilac. Saguaro. Dandelion.