Once Bitten Twice Shy

I was offered a million dollars once, for a day

A raise from the 50 thous making its way

Yes, that's the truth

Save the truth

It's not that I couldn't do it

Should I?

Would you?

What's the buy

not for pride or shame

or to hide the bitter blame

Skirts trailing

A princess in safe keeping doesn't hogwash the moment

and no one wants to be owned

in the meantime

I'm counting peanuts, planning on a homeless tent

will it be?

cursing sunsets

Different colours wash the night

Buried dams in a landslide couldn't be any louder when crashing

Here's a different glass of poison

I kinda couldn't hide the tears that came my way

Why offer anything, just help

Playing it like a virtuoso

Like a king fit for amusement

but serpents always coil in groups

so far I've seen none to strike his foot

Nor a real head to rest my shoulder on

Just a cup of tea by bedside waiting

Shimmering things always have places to go

Big men say hello

Soldiers seek to know

Better men lift their shadow above the boardwalk

and remind me I'm part human

Salutations everywhere blow me kisses

Tap my heart and make it start again

Maybe you would stay and ride the wave

Maybe you would reach your hand to lift me from the depths

Never cry, fruit of the ancients said, then kiss my head

Heaven's sword, the balancing act of tomorrow

Lachapelle's award-winning book of poems