think i have your number, hot dog.
yeah, you have that distinctive whine;
the snarl of an aesthetic idealist.
please.
have a seat, i'll make you lunch.
let's start with a tall, frothy mug of SHUT UP.
much better.
next some sacred cow hamburger casserole.
c'mon, don't choke and cry.
you're such a freaking sissy.
you know it's good for you.
can't wait til you get to dessert...
humble pie.

now you're all full;
not in the mood to beat your gums.
see how relaxed you feel?
isn't that nice for a change?
while you're still awake,
let's discuss your subliminal aggression;
got some major issues there.
wait ... i'll lay it out for you,
i've heard it before.

daddy didn't care enough,
momma cared too much.
one brother is a doctor,
one sister is a slut.
education stunted you,
and the King James left you cold.
so to keep all the bad things at bay,
you built this little wall.
hung on it everything you admire:
Francis Bacon paintings
[gads, that's nasty!],
and the works of every
British scientist/mystic who ever lived.

now from your doleful temple
you mumble at the masses.
their thousands snapping up copies
of McKuen and Brautigan.
"ignorance", you snivel;
and for once
i have to agree.



�2006 Neil C. Leach, Jr.

the upshift at the download
was an overload to meltdown
precipitated by a surcharge
of overtaxed positively ionized particles
little plus signs hopping madly
from molecule to molecule
seeking the highest bidder
atwitter and agog with googles of Newtons
farads joules or whatever
unit of measure is pertinent
imps leave the possible limp
stuck a pin in that blimp
now careening its kamikaze coriolis spirals
loopy wire-control toy on a busted line
\\
sun sliding into its West rest noticed
the connection between A-clouds and B-ground
a jagged spine of shine with erratic splices
fingering their way through Ohm's Law
and other sundry insignificants
until appears a perfect sphere
of shocking luminosity abloom
exhaled as a brilliant blip of concentric high contrast
defining a fine point at a geophysical high point
elevated to accept this exchange
which was not bereft of inherent dangers
\\
that was that and it didn't last long
leaving serious scars in the immediate vicinity
denied the privilege and luxury of distance
thrown onto the field of play
heard the whistle to start the game
longed for the security of a spectator's seat
left in the kitchen with all the heat
the other trees and ridges got the hot gossip
but hosting the show was not a plum prospect
especially when dessert was served
rolling down a cannonade
cloned from some 1812 Overture of
genetically re-engineered stereo enhanced steroids
digitally mastered to sound exactly like the end of the world
or close to it



�2006 Neil C. Leach, Jr.