Dead Liver Kids

by Nick Jaina

the concrete circus
shifts downstream
to the exalted barber of congress
and three-winged hens make ice-box friends
to the petrified breakers of progress
and penny gave
a soft short grave
for love that came from the coffers
and kept it whole
for a dumb-waiter soul
who until then had refused all offers

dead liver kids, the monarchy bids
on your lover tonight
the purchase fits
the queen mother sits on her hands
and hears a military band tonight

all the red faces from the deck
are crawling back to the shipwreck
it’s safe and it’s warm
and they receive immeasurable scorn
but it’s better than the comfort of a paycheck

© 2006 Nick Jaina