Cock Crow

how many times
does the heart beat between Christmases
how many times does the clock tick

does the cock crow
between birth and when the crow hovers over
with its wings outstretched

its opportunity, its meal at hand
a smell which promises a belly full

rotten food makes a belly ache
rotten you or me and a crow rejoices

how many times
does the heart beat between Christmases
how many times does the clock tick
like a knife through cheese, thinly sliced

in a stack, in a heap


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2006
11:40 a.m. 10/feb/06