Ten Trappings

by Joseph McCombs

"I was going to bring two friends
who wanted your autograph," she began,
"But they couldn't make it, so
I brought one who didn't."

The pop star began to laugh. "You
know I don't approve of those things,"
and lit herself a wrinkled cigarette.

I could see wilted daffodils in her eyes.

2.

I'm a strong believer
In the power of the nagging doubt
But I feel all right tonight. Boys are like needles:
It's better if you use a new one each time.

3.

Suddenly the wider side of China
Paints pale over the landscape
A goodnight requiem for everyone, for no one
And then back on the boat again tomorrow.

4.

Father explained:
The true saints are subtle, and are generally
hit by cars at age six, before this world can
claim them. It is tempting to say
that this is for the better. Little scares me more
than the violently faithful.

5.

47 American heroes
became cash cattle at casinos.
We wanted to turn the tide
but not at the cost of entertainment.

6.

"lot of unsatisfied minds out there"
I said -- not sure
what else I could really add to that
"I'm more worried
about the ones with unsatisfied stomachs"
the old man responded
and I imagined myself rather useless
"don't you worry tho
you'll make it
with that college degree a yours"

I wanted to tell him the degree
was in sociology but it seemed
suddenly like a truly moot point.

7.

We all have names that we did not choose:
Jewelry and chains are easily confused.

8.

"Summon me a cigarette,"
the poet implored the bartender
as he sat in a foreign bar in his hometown.
The bartender politely refused,
"Sir, you must ask for yourself."

He quietly excused himself,
sat at a distant table,
left no tip.

9.

In the absence of the product,
we write about the process.

The dumb doubt of photographers:
a million critiqued animals
with deformed limbs
-- their makers did not properly
care for them.

10.

"Queer-boy," he called me: I stifled breath
Under which I muttered "Breeder."
What does it all mean? This is left
As an exercise to the reader.

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