July 4th, 2021

Two words
per line
quite skimpy
but plenty
for nation
to summon
half inflated
rubber raft
collecting dust
under house

Sparkling bayou
stone’s throw
invites revelry
to come
float about
meander again
minute moments
ahead demand
fetch raft
find pump

Can do
ice chest
can do
beer cans
can do
skeeter spray
might can
well do
fireworks launch
covid forgot

Two words
per line
creep slow
to flow
with gators
down below
other realms
grinding on
crack can
cheers ahoy

Can do
chipper talk
can do
nation pause
can do
play today
if moved
to drag
dusty raft
to shore

Sparkling bayou
raining cinders
flaming sky
infections high
raft adrift
amid rafts
adrift amid
rowing dreams
wake to
crackling hiss

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Rodrigo Toscano is a poet and essayist based in New Orleans. He is the author of ten books of poetry. His latest book is The Charm & The Dread (Fence Books, 2021). His Collapsible Poetics Theater was a National Poetry Series selection. His poetry has appeared in over 20 anthologies, including Best American Poetry and Best American Experimental Poetry (BAX). Toscano has received a New York State Fellowship in Poetry. He won the Edwin Markham 2019 prize for poetry. rodrigotoscano.com