Well and Truly Try

Zero zero linger longer - present
we democrafy, one three nine
   
                         some foot tap
                         some waddle

                                   raft of doze wools my eyes
                         7 zero six
                                   this dull mind now slide down
                                   numerals melt
                                   so help you God,
                                   what is your summons number?
                         digits fragment, plunk, descending octaves
                                   ladder of metal-wrapt strings
                                   vibrating.

"Challenge, my Lord."
Crown discontent.

As accused stands red, haggard, ragged
      in the box
      grey hair strands droop
      chin reticulated
      eyes swimming
      gut hulking
   

Did he kill her?

olding

Drabbed, drug long way
   crabby eyelids
   crook back
   bagged and slumpered
   bendy and flatt.

The thin haggard dry wrinkle
    down frowning   pulled into heavy.

Many while scramble clutter
    fatigue of years of days of
                     languished fritters,
                     wasting so
                     much.

This pile, scrap heaped, lizard scaled, tenter hooked
    sheding jaundiced dandruff
                      as May cotton,
                      fleeced the gutter.
                      Turkey drooper, ever longer
                                                         dangling.

Thin-skin claws, now revealing
     tendons, blue vessels, yellow knuckle.

- Wait -

Interred lude:
              an air-conditioned wait chamber
Magazine page flip thumb shuffle.
              no time here
              just a linger.

              paused.


*               *               *

Anon - throng
              notebook toters
              decision herding
                             while unwinders waste towel reams

Ladies and Gentlemen:
              Here comes Wu Tang!

His Honour, whose black eyes so sharp
              they ping pong
              then lock, penetrating
              measuring.

And the green tabs,
              Dogwood ear leaves
              relentless biting
              no-see-ums.

Court Hall

Clop cloppers meambulating, flop flipping
jangle parade
           as applause erupts from toilet
           and woof double doors
                           glide atop golden butterfly
                           jitter fly.

"Doing 30-day intermittent
 The guy is going to walk."

Beyond wireglass
young woman trembles, tugs a sob
            leaking anguish
            spills language in long threads.
Clerk spools
His Honour, down-tufted,
            bends ear
            ruby breasted
            bleached tassels.


vacuous pause


No slide click flop
            round grey corner
            fade creaking
                            door.  shut.