|
Developing the World for Profit
A Cut-Up poem by Bill Ectric
Here’s a young man named Khris,
studied civil engineering in college,
Dreamed of stopping pollution,
Joined a big company developing islands into tourist attractions.
When he wrote to his parents,
always some wacky code.
They are just now trying to understand.
He said:
“Some people
from one island
receive rocks, cannonballs, dirt so bright.
“Their airplane
designed by you
goes whizzing over your prepared waves.
“Remember
This dream I swim
behind the battling backs of our heads.
“Members join
Let them back out
but not look to the head of the plan.
“Supported up the beach I saw a street moon,
North Jamaica had flowers,
Rows attack tours of cathedrals.
“Cast from acquisition, the telephones ring
Timing not as beautiful
As ionic column shadows
“Developers surrounded lakes, positive about it,
To me it was an illness passed down for generations,
But many more children knew the stuff
And the child of a child made the decisions.”
Khris woke up in his bungalow, nothing seemed real.
Coffee or booze? He looked in the cupboard.
There was some paprika and instant coffee,
toothpicks, baking soda, salt – The Morton Salt girl!
A sharp point in the tip of the umbrella, containing a
grain of ricin (deadly poisonous pearl), assassin girl,
salt of the earth, temptress as the boys
try to look up her dress.
The soldier guarding the gate
feels soft inside when she speaks
A sublime fragrance reminds him of a girl back home.
Smile.
He asked a lot of questions and said things.
"You can't go in there."
"What are you doing with an umbrella when the sun is out?"
"What's your name?"
The soldier appeared to be napping in the guard shack,
Dreaming of the salt sea. Dead sea.
Went to boot camp in Great Lakes.
Grew up in Salt Lake City.
Thirsty, he stirs, then succumbs.
No one suspects the girl.
The three piece suit drops his attaché case
just outside the embassy. Tumbles and sprawls on the sidewalk,
one foot in the road, as the ricin takes effect.
The doctor said lay off the salt.
Assassinated by a little girl with an umbrella and no panties.
Secret delicious dish recipe always include something bad.
Pouring another scotch,
Khris is older now, he copes.
He says, "It's gonna rain for a long time."
|
