The Sum Above
by Bill Yarrow
How many angels can dance on the head
of a pinhead? A circus pinhead. Divide
that number by three. Add to that the
plaid bravura required to be a husband
in the 1980s. Reshuffle the cards you are
hiding under the table. In a spirit of cool
cooperation, reverse course and make
for Islamorada. When you arrive, ask
the pharmacist for the normalizing pills
he's holding for you. Drop them down
the sewer main. Do this with everything
you have saved. The mandatory is not
your friend. Apologize to the floor boss
for knowing why. Add that to the sum above.
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Author's Note
A version of this poem appeared on December 13, 2010, in Everday Genius, guest edited by Chloé Cooper Jones.
Other stories by Bill Yarrow
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I respond to the directness of the voice here, of its directions. "The mandatory is not/your friend" *
Four
Too hard.
Okay; done.
Where's Islamorda.
Got it. Note: ask for pills upon arrival.
Will do.
Okay.
I know that.
He's not here today.
I'll add it to my list.
Fave.
Agree with Ann about the voice here, Bill. Very direct.
"The mandatory is not
your friend. Apologize to the floor boss
for knowing why."
Yes. Well done.
si
A heuristic algorithm of the absurd, in its own way logical, arithmetical, and computational, ensuring a poetic solution.
Bill, I loved this for its quirkiness and "marching" beat.
fave
I liked this too, I was a little confused, but somehow the voice held me hard.
Wonderful instructions. FAVE
I like.
What everyone else said. Fave.
Sorry floor boss. :) *
Yes, this is genius, like the 'zine i which it appeared. What a masterful formula!
yes.
splendid mind travel guide. *
Fine, fine work, Mr. Yarrow, sir.
*