RUSSELL STREUR: TWO POEMS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Numbers Game

I used to be somebody.

Had the figures to prove it.

Five nine six four on red

That’s Mister to you

Confirmation one F E and eight and eight and G

EMC zero zero four zero four three in LA

Eight two zero seven in gold

Get out of my way

Nine two double three to clear

And bigger numbers too

Ten pass to the Euro set

Channels on the satellite

Back door code

To the Diamond Lounge

Pins and passwords everywhere

Dot com planets at my fingertips.

Cashed in all my chips

On a Degas whim one day

For a place in the woods

And a river bed.

Now I’m off the screens

In a green ballet

Out of the loop

Up the creek

Without a mouse

I’m the man without a number

On the Quay D`Orsay

No more front row seats

No more safety net

No more cable TV

I’m disconnected

I’ve lost my place in line:

Add it up Bobby:

I get treated like I’m nobody now

Like I am just

Another name.

Thrill Ride 

(Greetings from the Mouse)

Caution:

This amusement ride involves

High speeds

Sudden drops

Sharp turns

And unexpected stops

In underground torture cells.

True believers

                        Move forward now.

Gates are to the left

                                For those with heart conditions.

Persons prone to motion sickness

                                                      May board the special train.

We’ll get the rest of you later.