throw open the gate
mindless herds will charge headlong
into the stockyard



prolong each journey
show the Emperor the sights
drop his palanquin



the guitarist’s hand
bounds chord to chord on the dot
no beat is missed



the slug ricochets
yet always finds its mark
burrowing deeply



waves washing ashore
within a rocky inlet
turn about strongly



gulls flap into flight
slowly lifting skyward in
an unrushed climb



sparks pop from the fire
with impeccable timing
uncapturable



topple the gatepost
with a splintering impact
but start with a sting



the pinky finger
of a raging wild-eyed brute
snaps like a pea-pod



once the snake constricts
all is hopelessly lost
sting first and sting deep



bears don’t crush stout trees
stout trees sometimes crush a bear
falling in tree’s time



the bull’s hoof clomps down
a statement made decisive
not to be wrangled