Leftovers

When the trap snaps

and the pain shoots upward

through the leg,

does the brain react

with regret or despair?

Do the toes retrace the steps

with a fancy move that postpones

danger?  Does the mind's eye see

what preoccupation missed?

When does the axis pivot

from Calvin to Arminius,

acceptance to resolve?

When does the mouth begin

to chew its way through

to the bone of freedom?

Turkeys on Parade

Thanksgiving is all about eating.

Turkeys bronzed in butter.

green beans cozied in cream.

sweet potatoes burnished

with brown sugar, pecans

pressed into service. And don't

forget the pumpkin pies

punctuated with dollops

of whipped topping squirted

from a chilled can, It's as though

the replication of plenty

somehow translates

into gratitude, blessing

is measured in heaping bowls.