Grant

 

 

 

So astute,

this warrior

of peace.

 

So terribly tender;

 

blessings of beasts

soothe you

 

uppity women

stir you.

 

And still, soul's unrest

undoes you,

(fornicating contradiction of

testiness and tenderness!)

 

Until at last

joy captures that cranky case,

your open

smiling

face

 

betrays you

once more!

 

 

 

Beth McCarthy Marks

1996

For Doc Grant Johnson at Smoke Horse Ranch