"This is not a book to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force." - Dorothy Parker

Half-past Ten

after Wallace Stevens

The city uneased by red

lights, buses.

They are not covered in gems.

The bus driver will not

greet, saying tra-la-la .

The fare is not

two trout; small

birds are not allowed

on board,

the riders won't dream

of tiny talons,

smooth grey bellies, hear

their two-note song.

Though, twice

a woman drifts

off after having far

too many quinces,

quacks at the macaque's

wit.

Mia Prinzen