Wednesday, September 1, 2010

"Six Ways of Looking Back at 'On This Bus'" by Steve Benton

I.
stark naked
on the bus
everyone’s clothes
at my feet
I felt
like a god

II.
stark naked
on the bus
our sweaty uniforms
our scratchy bed
I felt like
god then
the band director
opened the door

III.
we’re all nekkid
under our clothes
he told the exiting
passengers and the scowling
driver directing him to
the officer holding out
the blanket for him.

IV.
my god, my god
why hast thou
put me on a
bus with the
marching band
naked

my precious
precious child
that was not me
that was
your frat brothers

V.
my god
it just occurred to me
underneath
his clothes
that bus rider beside me
is carrying a b--

VI.
my cod
itches a cardamon
under knees
arc lows
a free Juan
omnibus
Ishtar neigh kid

"First Day Poet" by Jim Benton

we
choose our seats
cover our asses
plot our first impressions
secure our self-protections and
damn
it just occurred to me
everyone in this class
is a freakin’ poser

except me