NASDAQ
By Christopher Barnes
 

The fledglings in the bullpen are dialing

Mr Jacobs and Mr Ichan.
 
 

Databases squeeze the brokers
                      
into horseshoes of screens,
                      
silicone brains computing.

A crunch of consortia, charm-rubbed
                      
into nuts and bolts.

The double-dealing light
                      
of Black Monday has gone,
                      
Wall Streeters are ticklish.

Ballast-poised investers
                      
anchor under blue skies.

And the bear and bull monosyllables
                      
are slingshot across the floor.
 

                      
"My word is my bond!"
                      
in the pit they mouth.
                      
And the circuit-breakers
                      
on the exchange
                      
plot to hitch an intrigue
                      
helping out the big noise,
                      
the solid gold kingpin,
                      
the devil himself
                      
on Capitol Hill.
 

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CHRISTOPHER BARNES studied English Literature & History in Newcastle, England.  Chanticleer Press is publishing a first collection in the near future.  He has been published in many magazines and anthologies and won a Northern Arts Writers Award.