The Smell of the Crowd (poem)
The Smell of the Crowd
see justice pulled from the frying pan
nicely crisped at the edges, greased both sides
you may say, done
the owner considers the tone
a diminution in the smell of the crowd
his helpers lose keenness for their work
all of them
wishing to be at home, bucket between the knees
waiting for the roof to leak
So the measuring tape has spooled out
Will anyone really lend a hand
Will they do it for the sake of being kind
Do we live in times
Where the late Luna moth demands her fee
“I doubt you’ve understood me;
My humans, the cost of things has rocketed so high.”
Do you mind, do you mind, do you mind
I am only seeking clarity on this point
With the vigor of a man he springs to his feet
And moves his lips
The Smell of the Crowd
The First Idea
Fortune
(2017, Stephanie Foster)