I've Been the Governor of a Big State
by Francine DuBois

his words always escape before he thinks,
and he is forever running after them,
like a rancher chasing the errant calf,
in his mind contemplating both the lost revenue
and the fear of looking like an idiot at the co-op.

this phrase rolls off his tongue like saliva when
he falls asleep in his chair, drool gathering
in thick puddles on his black terry-cloth robe.
he is certain someone will wipe his face:
he has people for that. after all, he is the
governor of a big state.

 

Francine's Version -- Hezekiah's Version -- Inspiration
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