Preludes

The story of a girl

who can be found

scribbling

on scraps of art paper,

curled

against the chill of the open window

& the songs of birds,

surrounded by those lying aloud

who should be dreaming.

She steeps, readies her words.

The boy

who creaked down stairs

to empty his bladder

wondering

which was sadder, his nightmare

or his parents lying awake

back to back

while birds cracked on

and on as if

there was no where out there.

The wonder

of engines raced beyond exhaust,

garbage trucks, reverse beeps,

laps round the block

as though everyone’s lost,

fatigued

from endless counting sheep.

Line them up

against the chock

& jump the errant sun.

Kerry inspires the Real Toads to write preludes inspired by T.S. Eliot.