The Send Off

The Send Off
a haibun

Preparing poems for a manuscript is a daunting experience. Just when you think they are all ready to send, you take that last look and there you see it. One has a stain on his shirt, she has jelly circling her mouth, an untied shoe, a shirt not tucked in and so it goes. Back to putting the kids in order and making sure they do nothing to embarrass you. There will be one who belches and is rather proud of it and another who gets gassy and lets everybody know in more ways than one. Alas… as soon as everything is in good form and functional and relatable and all the other ables you put them in the minivan and take them off to deliver them to the judges, experts, or whoever has devoted never enough time to look them over. I just hope that they behave while not under my watch. Somehow, I trust they will, but oh my I hope that chili last night didn’t stir things up. Such is the life of a poet, preparing the way for her children to have a review. Wish us all lots of luck!

taking a fat chance
life has many turns and quirks
hope Stanley behaves