THE THINGS I CARRIED, A SCHOOL POP

in the pockets of my shorts

was
a plastic 

speedy gonzales

i chewed off 

a gifted key ring
&

a folded handkerchief

too big for me

i didnt like to use

&
an orphan mortice key
that i wanted to be magic
but knew it never would

THE PRESIDENT WAS A STAND-IN, A MOVIE POP

 

'its amazing' 

he whispers

at a european wall

hes a tourist

a camcorder trope

florida shorts / wide eyes 

~

& the turncoat agent

& the snipers curtain

& the podium explosion

he filmed it all

bewildered / lucky / scripted

big on awe & conscience 

bomb orphan in his american arms

photo - Looking Back from the Dagenham Archive