from A Picnic Is a Picnic

by Friedrich Kerksieck

EVERYTHING THAT I OWN THAT IS MINE

Last February I painted
the tree coal-satin.
It is still coal-satin.
I kick an ant
in an anthill.
What deserves it
is what gets it.

DIVING BOARD IN THE KIDDY POOL

“I gave the short-legged girl
my last broom,” told the broom
keeper to the next girl whom
wished a broom. “My ﬂoor is so
unswept,” she complained.
Stupid complaints.
Stupid lack of broom.
Dirty ﬂoor gets all it wants.

Friedrich Kerksieck lives in Memphis with his wife, two cats, & a Vandercook No. 4 Proof Press. He works as a freelance printer, binder, & graphic designer as well as running Small Fires Press.