POEMS/
Shine the Kettle Drums
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Shine the Kettle Drums

Shine the kettle drums with Brasso for half
an hour until light blooms on their dun sides.
No sin not to finish—they’ll be that way for years.
Save your days for Kick the Can.
Music of the fish
van draws your mother out to the street, spares
her a hise to the fishmonger.
Eating honey fresh
from the hive, comb’s yellow cells on toast,
boiled blue eggs from hens the sax-player rears,
you hear Monday night’s jazz playing them sane.