JOHNMICHAEL SIMON POETRY

The sign of crab was etched

across his face, yellow eyes

cut-outs of the sun

rays spiking outwards

 

In his Semitic language

zodiac and luck

were related terms

 

Not this time—

 

The scrap of paper

in his hand told all

 

Sea urchin spikes

penetrating his

abdomen

 

Show me

she said

his Pisces wife

 

Not now!

stuffed it in his pocket

growing inside

an armada

of crawling scuttling

tomorrows