you get to thinking
about a lot
of things.
Like how many grease burns
Abe Lincoln
would have had
after freeing the slaves
and what George Washington's fry hat
must have looked like
covered in all
those stars
and stripes.
Flipping burgers for the free world,
you give all the garnishes
names.
A generous helping of Andrew Jackson
two squirts of Jefferson
and a side of Susan B. Anthony.
Almost no one asks for the MacArthurs
and Pattons
because they're just too hot.
Flipping burgers for the free world,
you hope the world is a better place
because you showed up
for work
tonight.
Taking orders
for minimum wage.
When the mood strikes
a few times a week
I take the 40 watt light bulb
out of my bedside drawer
screw it in and let it dangle
over my head
as I write angry letters
to the government.
When I'm done
I unscrew it
put it away
and grab a beer from the fridge
before bed.
I wonder if this is how
the Declaration of Independence
was constructed.
One bare bulb at a time.
Ryan Quinn Flanagan presently resides in Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada. He is the author of three books of poetry, the most recent entitled Pigeon Theatre (JTI Press). His work has recently appeared in The New York Quarterly, Vallum, Mad Swirl, Leaf Garden Press, Full of Crow, and The Antigonish Review.
Comments (closed)
Giovanna
2012-02-20 22:59:20
Thanks so much for this very kind reeivw, Dave! Glad you found things to like in the collection and very grateful you made the time to write your thoughts down. Best always, Nic