Back to the pantoum again. (Note that, although there is an actual word, carbonnade, that refers to Flemish beef stew, carbonade in this poem is a made-up word.)

What from the carbonade tempts you
to follow at such close distance
when fifty percent don’t know who sent you
enough to care about your view askance

to follow at such close distance—
close enough to feel you breathing
enough to care about your view askance
or worry about your seething

close enough to feel you breathing?
Tight circles barely leave space enough to see
or worry about your seething
angry gestures wound too tightly to get free

Tight circles barely leave enough space to see
it’s almost more comfortable that way
Angry gestures wound too tightly to break free
leave muscles tired and aching at the end of the day

It’s almost more comfortable that way
when fifty percent don’t know who sent you
leave muscles tired and aching at the end of the day
Nothing else could possibly confront you

When fifty percent don’t know who sent you
you’ve got here too soon
Nothing else could possibly confront you
but a brightly colored balloon

You’ve got here too soon
What from the carbonade tempts you
but a brightly colored balloon?
Quite a memorable way to be leaving…

(21 March 2016)