Poems
by KJ Hannah
Greenberg
Clipboard Cat
Clipboard Cat struts through the house with his tale held full height,
Flagging us of his intentions to check the environs (only competent
Kitties can inspect domestic doings.) His is a dedicated occupation.
Tom’s reviews of all paraphernalia, counting biscuits beneath cushions,
Loose change circulating in bathroom corners, also the sorts of baubles
Grandchildren mislay among potted plants, proves his analysis acumen.
Memo Mouser gets the job done, ever dutybound to delimit our abode.
If not for this meticulous moggy, we’d ne’er find lost socks, destroyed
Pen caps, last year’s gas receipts, or stuffing from our ancient bolsters.
Fine Furry’s documenting, sometimes, leads him to our freezer’s cover,
Or behind the sofa. Even the dust mites salute when he ventures further
Than our beds toward realms unknown except to local, splendid felines.
See, Padfolio Pussy scrutinizes from every height. Whether uppermost
Closet shelves or within the toe kicks of armoires, he examines sundry
Spots for interlopers (as well as mates) while devouring select findings.
Randos
Odd, suspicious, socially inappropriate people often croon about galagoes,
Else rabbit scuts for reasons imperceivable by most avid huntsmen. Seems
Small birds & mammals constitute foci for addled minds.
Across various taverns, it’s known that weirdos, like fools, prophesize, reveal
Hidden grains of future happenstances. Their visions surface, perchance, from
Too many sips of absinthe.
They’re ne’er supercilious; most of that ilk hide supernal help. Rather, they’ve
No shame when indicating ineffable events still to come. It appears that bathos
Transfigures easily as a privileged communication channel.
Plus, peradventure, they foretell proceedings, ‘cause their wiring’s peculiar, also
Unworldly. Neurodiversity’s their boon (non a handicap as Big Pharm advertised
While money grubbing).
Not mere rainbows or apocalypses constitute “insight.” Perception dictates fitting
How time & matter merge, creating moments when phantasmagorical cues reveal
Themselves to hubris-free persons.
Sure, human propagules force dissonance on others. They’re detached from feeling
The literati’s judgements or from experiencing deeds’ commonplace consequences,
Even post mortem.
Reprisal
Retaliating almost never ends amid verdant tussocks or affable feelings.
Only naifs keep hold of thoughts upholding vengeance won’t engender
Future returns.
Human jackals, it seems, principally, chase intruders, or viciously slash
New orifices in enemies. They tend toward marking territory via divers
Manner of viscera.
It’s not that proficient scavengers, outfitted with canines, ungrudgingly
Seek due. Sooner, crepuscular critters fight dirty. Their ways & means
Emulate those of most bandits.
Brigands, after all, suffer no compunction if breaking laws. Their regret’s
Limited to opportunities missed, to riches unfathered. Gangsters no more
Grieve causing distress than felons “say sorry” for settling scores.
