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previously published in The Rialto, 58,
Summer 2005
Wrong
Man
who comes across a
girl
sobbing in a
ginnel.
You say an arrow
prayer,
gently move towards
her.
Through her tears, she
spots you
and goes
hysterical.
Imagine you’re a
teacher
teaching a
boy
to bisect an
angle.
Someone calls. You
look
away. A pupil drives the
point
of the compasses
through
your upturned
palm.
Imagine you’re an
electrician
re-wiring the
ceiling
of a nursing
home.
A resident starts
shaking
your step-ladder,
yelling
I know thee what thou
art.
I’ve seen your sort
before!
Ed Reiss
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