OUT OF THE HOUSE FAST
In the grocery line
you put the frozen OJ
against your fever
it melts & we go
to the lake & lay
down the blankets
the boy scouts can
watch we don’t care
there is no merit
badge I puke
an anthill
the ants look confused.
_____________________________________
OH MY, COUNTY HAYRIDE
I packed 15 sandwiches for the fair,
I put my leather hand in the leather
box & my rash hand in the rash box.
Ham, turkey, salt-pork, & mushrooms
were some of the sandwich’s toppings.
I don’t believe in boxed milk
& wouldn’t want to if I did.
_____________________________________
GINGHAM HELLO HELLO
The picnic is the same inside
as outside, I want the shining
light of Jesus in my life & I want
the milky coffee stain to mold.
You are scrambled like an
egg in a rock tumbler, you
are a queen in a hill of larva.
_____________________________________
TODAY YOU ARE COMING TO VISIT
Today I am letting
the bear get very hungry.
_____________________________________
WHITTLE IF YOU GET LOST
He turned into
a fossil over
night. A last
mistake. A new
rock.
_____________________________________
MAKE MY NOOSE A CANDY NECKLACE
I have an invisible friend.
He is less invisible than you.
I am wearing my own shoes.
They are very nice shoes.
_____________________________________
IT IS VERY EXCITING
Four pillars made
from dog hair
made this house.
Our perch is in the sun.
Quick! Run into
the parlor
there is a new
blemish to see.
_____________________________________
EATING OFFA DIRTY PLATE
Tonight let’s make
a teenage mistake.
I’ve never witnessed
a miracle I didn’t
think could be better.
_____________________________________
LIQUID CORNDOG
Gold Teeth
Gold Teeth
You are the song
not the sung.
Let’s forget
we have a past
together.
_____________________________________
THIS FOREST GETS ROMANTIC
No one leaves
the unprincipled light.
Stalking a deer
covered by rain-
coat & sycamore sap.
I am humble
in this gown
I look
at you look
let’s find new
branches
to hang
the wind.
_____________________________________
Friedrich Kerksieck runs Small Fires Press in Memphis with his wife, Gabrielle Trimm & two cats, Bela & Bip. He works as a freelance binder, box-maker & letterpress printer.