Sacrifices will have to be made, serious
        Belt tightening. You don't halve
        What it takes. Because what it takes,

        It keeps. The whole kit 'n caboodle.
        So there you are: minus your caboodle
        Where the arrow crowds the corner.

        Ist verboten here. I'm almost
        Late for a very important meeting: What
        Looked much like a steering column

        For a 2000 S-10, found
        Near my magnolia. The rest of the car
        Later, near Black Bayou. Someone

        Heard a girl scream. The rifle
        Range near my house explodes
        Every 10 minutes masking

        Something, I'm sure. The hand
        Cuffs are cutting my circulation.
        I may have to give up

        Breathing. Before you forget: chainsaws
        Operate best in an overheated environment.
        Imagine: glue is good too. I never owned

        An S10, but they say
        I do. I've written this down
        In several versions. The steering column

        Probably killed her on impact, though
        You can't be sure of these things.
        The knife flashed against the moonlight later-

        This is a very important day for someone.
        A man wearing a party hat
        Blows out a handful of candles

        The fire in the attic was ruled
        Accidental. For whatever reason,
        I need to get more pencils.

Copyright © Claudia K. Grinnell, 2004. All Rights Reserved.