Monday, February 4, 2008

Eupholome: Nameless Stranger (a gunsaku)

Eupholome: Nameless Stranger (a gunsaku)
Stray dog barks at road
Not just any vagabond
Children run to look

Patches on tatters
Holes through dusty shoes and hat
Walletless pockets

At the edge of town
Lawmen watching his approach
Might just have some fun

Did you hope to pass
Without giving up some gold
This here's a toll road

Empty palms up shrug
Silent universal sign
Mute baffled and broke

Show us some I D
Any kind of credential
Utility bill

A scrap of paper
Turned to lace at the creases
Kept under his hat

Like a stinking fish
The two deputies watch him
One grins other frowns

Hey wait a minute
Don't I know you from somewhere
Famous for something

Crowd gathered like clouds
Spatters of recognition
Fall on hunched shoulders

Whispered names thunder
Shower of accusations
Lightning in his eyes

Rogue preacher wizard
Winds of change at his command
Simply vanishes

A gasp from the mob
Read the paper that he left
"Will haiku for food"

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