Puppet X,11 Poem by Jerry Ratch

Puppet X, #11



They've got prizes for you,
my dears. Yes they do

You'll see yourself accepting

I know how happy
you'll be

“O yes O no
You ain't so bad”

O yes

Necktie, white shirt, the usual

But always
right at the edge
of his smile,
there was pain…

There's no need to talk
of death

- the overheated seaweed
- gulls on fire

Whole roomfuls
dying like they don't know it

Your mind
shriveled with sleep

- Once said to live

My wig, your wig…

“I smiled
I didn't hear a word
he said, you
understand
But I smiled…”

* *

I smile
I bend
at the waist

I'd hate to be human
here

Still, I don't think
I can sleep

* *

“Aren't we having fun? ”

“Yes we are…”