Retrogression

And that's the way it ended,
hanging upside down, feet
tied to a beam, he died in a
pirouette propelled by cabbages.

His last words were inaudible;
although, someone swore he said,
"My sins in life were many,"
but that pish-poshed
by one who claimed,
"Of sons, I have not any."
Most just said he groaned.

Of course, it was inadvertency.
He made a few mistakes;
world leaders can't afford to.

Still, he was a brilliant politician,
led his class at the university.
He was one of those precocious kids
who seem to look right through you.

And, oh, what a perfect baby!
The doctor said so himself
as he held the newborn by its feet
and soundly slapped its butt.


(Arkansas Magazine, Arkansas Democrat, January 12, 1986)