WHO KNOWS

The Shadow made a list when he was nine

Of things he wanted to know as did his friend

The Evil That Lurks in the Hearts of Men.

First on his list was the Latin names

Of all the trees and plants in Galicia.

(The Evil That Lurks wanted most to know

How to tie a clove hitch one-handed.) Later,

When the Mutual Broadcasting System

Had decided they would promote The Shadow

To cultural archetype he suggested

That the narrator might suitably intone

“Who knows the Latin names of Polish trees?”

Though Margo Lane explained to him

He never really understood why Blue Coal

(“Let The Shadow and Blue Coal Protect Your Home!”

Rejected the idea so adamantly.