Carl

You, very distinguished imagist, 

in five fields you ran,  

four across one down, 

solving crossword puzzles,  

shooting wild ducks from the dark sky, 

opening and closing doors,

always revealing something. 

A little piece of Mamie in me, 

Can a woman claim a poem of personality? 

Imitating Chicago and Arithmetic, 

counting my own coins of time

not letting others spend them, 

a wish to sit with you at a play by Ibsen, 

perhaps discuss the murder of Lincoln. 

Did you know it drowned the Sultana? 

everyday trying to sing  

rhythm and nonsense to that eternal child  

hanging on your wing.