"Keister It" and "Work Environment"
Keister It
some dishes come out spotty –
need to be sent back through
one more time, or several
Easter Lily stank
resurrection
a putrid process
crack across
clay Buddha’s hands
remain tight clasped
takes in blood of Christ
like a prairie oyster
folk remedy
things still feel dry
at April’s tail-end, yet
life begins to stir
Work Environment
The boss knew the blueprints well, and had carefully barred every other means of egress available to their small staff of temp workers. Alternative being the same but slower, each took their turn facing the gauntlet; some made it out punctured or missing a chunk, but as many were feasted upon piecemeal, indolently. As their ranks dwindled a pile grew, and he sat vigil upon its promontory cross-legged like a yogi, assured those who’d successfully escaped his clutches would not send aid for them cornered remaining. Nor did they.
gradually consumed
by a few whales
all those sharks
Jerome Berglund has worked as everything from dishwasher to paralegal, night watchman to assembler of heart valves. Many haiku, haiga and haibun he’s written have been exhibited or are forthcoming online and in print, most recently in bottle rockets, Frogpond, Kingfisher, and Presence. His first full-length collections of poetry were released by Setu, Meat For Tea, Mōtus Audāx press, and a mixed media chapbook showcasing his fine art photography is available now from Yavanika. Jerome recommends the National Lawyers Guild.
