After a Poetry Reading

My wife agreed to go with me
to a reading downtown,

where poets spoke of Burns,
laughing invalids, and thread.

Later, in bed, I was struck awake
by tangling arms and angry hands.

My accountant spouse was dreaming
we were in a van. I answered my phone

and got a job as a radio talk-show host.
Effective immediately, I started taking calls.

And part of the position included smoking
small pieces of paper left on the floorboard.

I lit each one with the dashboard lighter.
My wife started railing at my swerving,

especially when I reached around her
with the orange-hot lighter in my hand.

copyright 2004 Geoff Pope
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