The Old Man leans on brick
jutting his knees like splintered easel legs
Behind his good ear, a rusty pipe leaks
cool copper backup
to an Old Man’s splash of brass.
[The Old man poses like a matchbook cover,
royalty with no royalties.
His voice is chambered gunpowder, head
cocked to rooftop heaven. You all know dis one?]
Our coins are tumbling cymbals
in his purple velvet case.
[Oh yes, Old Man, this one we know.]

-Heather Van Doren

Graphic design by
Matthew Finkhousen,
Bowling Green State University