Pageantry

by Gene Hult

Let us talk, about our boneheaded fling;

morpho butterflies' iridescent wings;

racism and income inequality;

marching elephants into the city

through the canyons of finance to bugle

at cross corps of jackbooted tribunal.

Let's talk, about how often you hurt me,

act undermining inadvertently;

men wave kerchiefs for your attention;

the parades of geese honking concession

down the village hillside, into our bed,

while bright Blackhawks whir and thrum overhead.

Let's talk, about compromise to keep you;

how the fucking is fantastic, it's true,

but you're unsure you love me regardless;

corruption in the medical complex;

how cruelties of insurance aroused

the demons clambering from the hellmouth.

Let’s talk, about how we might move forward;

your rolling your eyes and yawning, so bored;

I'll miss your shoulders’ smell of vanilla;

how we're ruled by a chaos gorilla;

the zombies shuffling up the mined driveway

to knock politely at the door, asway.

Let's talk, about ignoring-me nightmares;

how orgies might entice us if we share,

but the awkward, wincing interaction

seems insurmountable; dance seduction

around us in the humid shirtless crowd

while between us specters sidle aroused.

Let's talk, about getting back together

based on nothing but physical pleasure;

how we scorn each other's dear media;

the drugs required for academia;

age difference spanning generations;

grandmother marching for prohibition;

how the meadowlark's trilling had appealed

despite viscera on the battlefield.

Let's talk, you and I, and wedge this heavy

sarcophagus shut, bury our envy,

heed the deliberately thumping hide

of the sympathy we interred inside.

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Gene Hult teaches Creative Writing at Navajo Technical University in Chinle, AZ. More than 125 of his books have been published for young readers, mostly under his children’s pseudonym J. E. Bright (jebright.com). His books of poetry from Brighten Press (brightenpress.com) include Render, Catfish and After, and the forthcoming Ades Fidelis. Follow Gene on Twitter and/or Instagram @citysqwirl.