The Sand Hill Review          http://www.sandhillreview.org             2003        

 

 

Travel Potato

 

On a trip, when you do not have

drawers of potatoes to house your pain,

a small 3 x 2 inch spud

fosters the process in the absence

of other eyes.

 

A velvet carrying bag is not required.

Potatoes are just simple folk.

When wearing stylish jeans, one

fits snugly in the pocket on your hip.

Reach to round its edges when you are

Sad

Hurting

Anxious

or In Despair.

 

If in skimpier garb, tuck the brown round friend

under a folded shirt in your suitcase.

It sits nicely on a nightstand

and likes to watch the clock

count off minutes while you're sleeping.

 

If you are prone to motion sickness,

carry two potatoes to keep you balanced.

As your brain overloads and you

search for horizons, the potatoes

talk to each other through your inner ear

 

and the curved directional line

of your stomach

begins to smoothe

as you all move

forward.

 

Janice Dabney