Cruisin’, Jammin’ (or, He’s a Bitch)

Ass, in fact, is death
The return of ABBA, is death
In beautiful increments
Kittens grow, leaf twigs snap
Now the moon hovers above. Tease.
A sort of ass, in space
No help from moonlight
In birth, wars, and wooing
There was a blonde, right?
And a brunette, right?
And two kittens in pantsuits
Make that four
Plus, the invisible drummer
And 70’s asses swaying
A totentanz
By the millions

Ass, in fact, is life
The return of ABBA is, well
For the half dead
In beautiful increments
15-inch tires, 30-inch tires
By the moon or sun
Grinding, wearing, thinning
Dusting the roads
Tires oblivious to car frames
Car frames toting asses
Two thousand twenties models
Or styles, or makes
A totentanz
Do you have to look that up?
Really? One tires
Driving for the unstudious

_____________

Rodrigo Toscano is a poet and essayist based in New Orleans. He is the author of ten books of poetry. His newest book is The Charm & The Dread (Fence Books, 2022). His Collapsible Poetics Theater was a National Poetry Series selection. He 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  @Toscano200