The Innisfree Poetry Journal

www.innisfreepoetry.org

by Ed Shacklee

The Stalking Horse



At first, his chatter merely made you weary,

but he's persisted until now you fear he


isn't only odd but rather eerie;



especially when he moved onto your block.


Machinations masquerade as talk.


The nag it seemed he was begins to stalk;



and he will be your shadow day and night,


the clingy spider web that holds you tight,


the bit between your teeth that hides a bite.

Recipe for Grand Theft Auto

  1. Set the poor aside: repress, then fleece.  

  2. Leave neighborhood to simmer.

  3. Crush.  Police.

  4. Remove the father.

  5. Add 1 child, too sweet.

  6. Garnish mother's pay.

  7. Evict.  Repeat.

  8. Lace the paint with lead: let age, then peel.

  9. Extract the child.  Re-traumatize: congeal.

10. Isolate.

11. Suspend from school till sour.

12. Chill inside your condo for 1 hour.

13. Add a pinch of youth and let it rise.

14. Once car is poached and stripped, reheat surprise.