THE YOUNGER POET ASKS QUESTIONS OF OHIO

Already posing, un-bloodied,
I was asked by talent, what it was
like to live in Ohio. I was asked

by the next champion if the food
was any good, what the weather
was like, could he get tickets

to a hockey game, were there
enough sheltering hands to carry
him, his love, their pale stones?

He’s a good kid. I’ve looked him up.
He is the next champion, here,
but I get to work him over a bit

before he comes to the bottom
of my ravine to take this home-
made belt. I really like this kid.

He’s got good, active blood,
which should keep him warm
during the hard times to come.

BRIEFLY, KNOXVILLE

It doesn’t matter
what stuck
inside my throat.

I tell everybody it
is a pearl I don’t want
to cascade away.

Darren C. Demaree is the author of "As We Refer to Our Bodies" (2013, 8th House), "Temporary Champions" (2014, Main Street Rag), and "Not For Art Nor Prayer" (2015, 8th House). He is the recipient of three Pushcart Prize nominations and a Best of the Net nomination. He is currently living in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children.