bejeweled fountain, applause

the first instance of many
junks plying the seas was
in japan many years ago

the first mistake was
walking to work

the man in the Ichthyosaurus
shirts is all smiles

the pure, bought briquets
were made to burn

the boy in baby blue
is priceless

the devoid penumbra
of her luncheon umbrella
smolders

your flame, on a towel
in the park

leaves no mark
but in your heart

left a note for her
at breakfast in the lobby

she didn't receive it.
denote your interest

by investing in her
dad's company.

yessir, Bryce, i think
it was, i've come

far enough to know
that i'm not going back,

and i've drunk too
many times

from the bejeweled
lip of that fountain.

Here is the monstrous myth

Here is the monstrous myth. This is the Buckley Family.
The offspring: Susan & John. A Hallow's Eve joke plan:
neighborhood children to chop a dummy's head off.

The Buckley children thought it would be hilarious to
actually  kill. Maybe they did, and maybe they didn't.
Either way somebody's been tricked. Here is the

monster: here is the myth. There is the shadow
of cold in your memory
of the real cold in your teeth. Clinching it like

a pen ready to write with. Ink, solid
soldered parts of your already-bought-car.
Night's out at the lake with her dervish

delivered as handy. Cool, cool, clear
water. She gave you what she wanted;
She gave you her hand. You shivered.