Doggie Farts

I saw a film once
called A Very Long Engagement,
starring Audrey Tatou
(A Very Lovely Girl)

as Mathilde, a woman on a relentless search
for her missing fiancé, lost
to the trenches of World War One.
It was good, this film.

However, there was another woman --
an older woman (Mathilde's mother - I think),
and she would say, "Doggie farts warm the heart."
And she would smile as she said this.

But I strongly disagree.

-jkh

Lunch, Late December at Le Panier

Cracked statue on a stool
I am, static,
cold and coarse --
granite effigy of a man

breaking up as a holy smile
plays over split lips
like I know something
my compatriots do not.

But they likely know
in their own way
of the delight in reading, reviewing
people in passing --

their tourist's eyes fighting
in chorus,
the bitter breeze,
the insistent sun.

They likely know
of ham and Swiss cheese
on very French bread
and slurpy sips of sweet
velvet coffee in a white paper cup.

They likely know.

-jkh