Collin Colaizzi

22 (9)

March 22, 2020

Oh to have my ink back
Said the squid. The wind back 
In our sails–makes all this 
Travel possible. 

Follow that thread.
The brownies are undercooked 
Set them in the refrigerator to cool,
Domesticity and Aunt Jemima!

Enchanted by Jemima and her short legs,
Important to this journey, she will be 
Something to occupy the boy’s minds 
As long as she stays where she belongs,

Doesn’t overstep, it’s your prerogative
Deciding the course of action, the discipline 
For such infractions. Tell her to keep that 
Peacoat on. We like that peacoat. Jemima is always

Changing. Here to right the ship, 
The dusting is done, the captain’s quarters 
Immaculate, allow her to take the wheel, 
The polished planks beneath wide feet

Jemima is a little girl combining ingredients 
In a bowl, like her grandma asked her to,
And she wants to be like grandma. She 
Doesn’t know how sad grandma really is. 

Okay, each of us can have a small helping 
Of the raw dough. Remember, not everyone 
Is a fan of frosting. Sprinkles are 
Much too kitschy, especially considering the current state

Of affairs. Pencil skirts and tights underneath if it’s 
Cold, walking in the city streets enroute to the great 
Big building, to the desk on the fiftieth floor outside
His corner office. A nice typewriter on the desk. Affairs. 

We’re in uncharted territory, use the 
Compass to discover that this isn’t our 
Fight, tackling issues we’ve no business
Sacrificing crew members for.

Batten down the hatches as the
Butter thickens, we’ll watch from the
Sidelines because we’re afraid and would 
Rather look for shiny golden buried treasure.

Careful now, very careful. Beware
The sirens who draw you in with pencil skirts 
And oppressed stares. But would it be the worst thing
To realize–to admit–that Tootsie was at the very least

A little problematic and Dorothy should have never
Gotten the girl? Very entertaining however, 
A tour-de-force. Are there any imposters
In our midst? How could it be so? 

The captain won’t hesitate to close ranks.
Affairs. Lift the pencil skirt, smoke a 
Cigarette and watch the show, your wife
Will never know.

In the kindergarten playroom, there are
All kinds of big-people clothes to try on. The 
Boys make deals and the girls are the superior 
Typists. The playroom is kept in order and the 

Aging teacher encourages all of this behavior.
A microcosm only thwarted by snack time. 
Apple slices, cheese and crackers, apples 
Hurled like grenades, the nutritional value not

Enjoyed and I bet you can guess which 
Group thinks they are the soldiers. Let’s engage in a dialogue, 
Jemima holds court, bangs the ceremonial gavel,
Land ho! 

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