Poet Laundry

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Fremont Troll, Seattle, WA

Stand strong,

there are real-life trolls out there—

small people

who’ll try

to steal your sweetness, your flame,

consume your fire by night,

snuff out your compass cloud.

You must stand strong.

But, if they’re big enough

to take your Volkswagen, with one hand—

run!

Paint peeling, wood splitting,

flies swarming her trailer, sweltering heat

in that clay and lime town—

but, oh! the tart and bubbling rhubarb crisp,

the spicy-sweet hot mustard,

the savory scent

of the best, the best, fried chicken

any of us had ever eaten.

Poor—and rich—

all the difference

in the crinkle-cut corner

of her laugh-rippled eyes.