THE CANDIDATE

The shape of this poem is in fact the outline of a man aspiring vainly for high office.

Stands full-square

before his fawning public

a pouting sphinx, waiting

for showers of applause

from a mesmerized congregation

to subside down

into clicking droplets,

lathers open-mouthed hearers

with saccharine-spice,

making outrageously fearless remarks,

designed to insultingly belittle

those who desire to control him

with bulged money bags,

but a balloon,

full of torrid air

is soon pricked

by razor-sharp flints

in the campaign cauldron.