Nine is a worker-bee. If that’s
a tired image, that’s because it is.

Ten is syrup on a pancake. A sickly
trail leading to the drive.

Eleven bursts with out-of-tune kids.
Blasting trumpets through cereal bores.

Twelve is an erect rocket. Do you
read me, Houston?

One is a cave in which the rest
of the day coils. Sandwich shadows.

Two is when the bugle sounds.
Today there's a sock in it.

Three is ready for kick-off. You’ve
tied your laces together again.

Four smokes girly cigarillos, and
plays the gangster role badly.

Five is a beetle dancing on
its back and it needs your help.

Six whips the evening into place.
The world bends a tongue to lick itself.

Seven has used too much saffron–
the grill is lit by mistake.

Eight sheds water as she enters.
We are embarrassed on her behalf.

Who cares about the rest?

The damned thing won’t stay still
in time for any of this to be true.

at this point, james, i'm sure there's something about this i'm missing but i'm not sure just yet.

i'm sure i'll figure something out.

cheryl

James, I totally enjoy how the images relate and morph and progress: bee to syrup to trumpets to rocket to coils to bugle to sock...etc.
Don't have any great idea about what the enfolding structure is, if there is one, so last S a bit flat, but that didn't stop me from going back up to the top and starting over again. I'm seven.
Tom

...having another read...

Love this James.  A series of intriguing pivotal moments and the finale voicing frustration at never being able to nail time down.   You've used a very light touch with this, the form enhances the content.  I love that you started at nine.  I 'm picking it.

Thank you, Sue. I appreciate it.

Tom and Cheryl, I hope it plucks its feathers, jumps in the oven, and onto the table for you ;)

james

If the damn ham has feathers, I'M jumping in the oven!
Merry Christmas to you too, James! Tom

nothing does stay still in time.  great images, these odd small leaps.  love the set-up, the brevity, the end resolution which is, to my mind, not to resolve -- although, in the moment, and as i read, i did care about the rest.  ;)

Very pleased to pick this for New Year front page...very happy New Year to all.

a great honour to see the decade out sue! Happy new year and love to all

congrats, James! happy new year to all. Tom

This does make an old lady very happy!  You have such a fresh and surprising voice, jamesthomashoward, and I love finding this as the featured poem.  I can't help but remember our crown of sonnets.   We must try another waltz around the "form" floor again one of these days -- or not.  Just so long as I can find your lines and sounds on the page from time to time -- I'll be more than happy. 

Felize Ano! 

lynn

Lynn, thanks. Let's definitely do something. Put your thinking cap on, I'll do the same, and let's see what happens.

Thanks, Tom.

james, i hate to admit, but will, that i missed the meaning of your poem the first time around, but your 'counting down' combined with tom's 'counting lines of poetry' helped me see the light sometime earlier this week, just forgot to reply, and i think this is great, with correct placement, as well.

another good one from you, james.  it's a pleasure.

cheryl

This is remarkable.  Out of the Land of Po for sure.

Rick