Appendices
Extras, stand over by the wall
prettiest up front, smart ones in the back
in fact the smart ones can just leave
Thinning the raspberry bushes
dead ones cut away help the rest
otherwise choked by them
cruel to be kind
The fires in California thin the forests
of dead trees first but also of some living
a rash of houses, surplus humans, assorted wild life
Being gone proves you extra say the winds
It’s a zero-sum game now, even less than zero
we’re into negative numbers here
There was an optimum number of us
but even some of the optimals
are starting to feel extra
Look in the mirror; see only background?
until yesterday a valued member of the team
The fires say we’re all extras now
first- and late-comers all rush the exits
small doors that seem selective
more wall than door until we’re very near
The Dog Star 
2 Responses to “Appendices”
only poetry can say these things…must say these things…
You bet. That’s why we love it. Thanks. Craig!