Acrostic
for SB
Sometimes I forget how the rib
sits just beneath the skin, proverb
sanded down to a nub,
soliloquy little more than a blurb.
Strolling up the driveway, you and that glib
smile I hate so much, little bib
set just so as you gently disturb
sauce with a breadcrumb.
Stay near to the ground, thumb
stuck out, looking dumb –
slow roll as the truck’s cab
sidles near and you dab
sweat from your forehead, crab
scuttle to the passenger side, blab
something inane and fail to ab-
sorb the reply. I thought the adverb
sucked so I changed tack. Put it on my tab.
[Steak dinner and then some]
Steak dinner and then some
edible pants. The
aperitif possesses
notes of aperitif.
[Calm down, calm down - the]
Calm down, calm down – the
half-eaten plum, the
alert pianoforte in the
new apartment’s living room so like
the old apartment’s living room
everything draped in
linen,
cubist ottoman
hidden in the
alcove. The
nearest 7-Eleven
ten minutes away
even without any
lights. Suppose someone
called and at the
hospital there was
a better chair,
nicer shape, would you
take it? What an
eyesore, the
lady said to the man.
Can you believe
her work paid for it
all? Even the
new rug. Look at the
time. Look at the
elegant staircase. Look,
look, look.
D. Frederick Thomas is the author of the short novel Exhibition Text (Vagabond Press, 2024). Their/his work has appeared or is forthcoming in publications such as FENCE, Island Magazine, Heavy Feather Review, APJ, Meniscus and Pictura. Originally from Philadelphia, they live in Brisbane/Magandjin. Find more at dfrederickthomas.wordpress.com.
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