By: JD DeHart

Not sure why he spells his name
with two m’s sometimes. Maybe
it’s just been that long.
You can tell by the way he sniffs
the day, it’s not all good here. He
wants you to think it is. We all do.
How are you, I’m fine. Do they
even give you time to answer? I
sit across, study his antlers, want
to set him free. But his handlers
just won’t let me.

***

The poem has first appeared in  Squawk Back.