white rabbit
by Hezekiah Allen Taylor

it's as if Alexander the Great has conquered
this small, squat corner of Arkansas--
a pillage of small, empty businesses
at a pitiful crossroads

he stands like a monolith
a temple
an oracle

the restaurant behind him
with its half-forgotten sign
breathes emptiness
but he is still upright
a plastic height almost massive
a lazy-eyed wink
even a magic wand

but he never could
excuse himself
with a single spell

and he awaits a conqueror's return
to reassure Alexander that--indeed--
his new master is the son of Amun-Re,
a god in his own right
if only those cracked plastic lips
say so

Francine's Version -- Hezekiah's Version -- Inspiration
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