Off Your Back

the one and one of two small disasters
sums greater than arithmetic reckoning
there is no wise accord explaining why
the mind begins such paltry games

there will be more to come – and the
list grows; dubious prophecies translate
avowals of doubtful fact into duplicates
of doomsday reality

how to shake the monkey off your back
you know it needs to be distracted so
you laugh outrageously at obsequious
and now petty second-hand calamities

it’s not to say you’re through the spell
and free at home– that’s too estranged;
but monkey knows of no adversity and
fears you laugh at him alone
© 26 August 2009, I. D. Carswell