From: "hassen" <hassen@snip.net>
Subject: Re:      [WRITERS] INT: the eMJay award interview questions, part tree?
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 12:37:55 -0500

>>"If you were a canned food, what would you be?  And why?"<<

well, tink & others, there was a little ditty i jotted down about seven yrs.
ago & though it's not exactly my best work, i think i'd have to go with the
idea in answer to question posed. the piece should explain why.
following.

hassen

**************

*pickled squid*

saturdays when feet hurt &
voice is easily forgotten
among toes of skyscrapers
chatter of knee-spread
bridges beside the water that
moves or often does not move

home drops from the
eaves sound like a host of
wristwatch secondhands or other
leaking faces that are
not solar powered
no panels gather heat
only the slowcold seeping of
spiritual blood; clear

rays of sun bow
over and over
throughout recent days
I watch from window seats
my head is a jar
mouth is the ring on the jar
tongue is the lid the ring squeezes
fluid thoughts engulf this brain

pickled squid
under lid