Saturday, August 18, 2007


I was shopping for Dean's birthday present and took a detour into Barnes & Noble and saw this new book of poems, and opened to this poem. I bought the book on the spot.

Water Cure

Before drowning, after the gasp
when firefly lights pop and sputter
around the prisoner's eyes:
this is the line to recognize.
The manual recommends a pause
to let the man confess.
If there is no water and you must press on,
then strip him naked. After the shock,
watch him watch the fake-out clock and realize
the hours are yours to stretch against him.
Shock, or better, dunk again.
Try self-inflicted pain.


*

And what did I get Dean for his birthday?
Well, that is a surprise.
Let's just say it involves sugar, cream and time.

*

8 comments:

T. said...

Hmmm....ice-cream-maker?

Peter said...

Close, T, but no spumoni.
*wink*

Pamela Johnson Parker said...

Cappuccino maker?

Peter said...

P: great idea, but . . . . nope.

LKD said...

A gelato machine?

Peter said...

L:
Ooooh! Gelato. Dean & I love it.
But it's not that.

T. said...

Okay. So what is it?
An Easy Bake Oven?!

Peter said...

LOL: I can't tell you yet. Dean's b-day isn't until the 22nd. And he might be reading this! *wink*