when trees unleave
some folk travel the highway
to Macumera
far from raging storms
...
Day breaks
a Van Gogh sunrise
of swirling paint
silhouettes
...
And there are more than a few
who can utter coarse oaths
off stage
while maintaining a facade
...
Take a hint from the Cubists
who created textures and forms
by adding to the paint itself
...
The evening usually began
with a remark from the Professor
about the present state of the world
and the decline of western civilization
...
The shaggy man in castoff rags
postured before the TV camera
NBC and CBS reporters zeroed
...
The cook blew out the pilot light
secured the pots and pans
and packed the crockery
away for eternity
...
We all know he's a pompous ass
you know it and I know it for sure
since I'm the guy in your sights
prancing and wagging on stage
...
That's when we were vulnerable
deep in the dark woods
that Christmas
...