PLAYING IN THE MINORS

Hortense Flexner says a minor poet
Can be told by his or her lack
Of invisible banners. Also, she says,
Words never choke him.
I was set upon by words in Chicago
In late 1974; they left me bloody
But didn't try to choke me.
I'm pretty sure a gang of words
Stole a bag of raisins from my desk
Some time in the late 1990s.
These probably don't count.
Also, I have searched my house
From attic to cellar without seeing
Any invisible banners.

THE MASARYK STATUE IN CHICAGO

If you walk on the Midway to the Lake

You will come upon a stone knight

Meant to honor Thomas Masaryk

Who died many years and 4536.83 miles away..

(Those who killed him are dead too

But have no statues in Chicago.) The man,

Martyr though he was, means little to me.

The statue is an old friend. We do not write,

Even at Christmas; it is enough

Just to remember each other.