ISSUE: Fall 2012
The Traveler’s Vade Mecum, Line #7405
Two men walk on a path.
One has a blade in his pocket.
We do not know if the edge
is grimed with paint, or butter,
or is clean as a newborn tongue.
One has an apple in his pocket.
Put a horse at the end of the path
and he is kind to animals. Leave
the horse out, and he is hungry.
They can stop and sit together,
knife licking away the skin
in perfect, blush-red strips.
One will look over his shoulder.
One will fail an appointment
he promised to keep. But they
can have this meal, if they
choose. Then keep walking.
