Our client, in his new dark suit
And crimson tie, his starched white shirt
With shiny buttons made of bone,
Represents the savings and loan.
With sleek panache he argues the case
Because of his polished leather case
And because of his new dark suit.
Ten thousand years of human thought,
Ten thousand more of experiment
Stand behind his major point,
Which his crimson tie exclaims.
The judge gives ear to all his claims.
No metaphysics give reply
Except for what his buttons cry.
Jerry Harp has published three books of poems, most recently URBAN FLOWERS, CONCRETE PLAINS (Salt 2006). His "CONSTANT MOTION": ONGIAN HERMENEUTICS AND THE SHIFTING GROUND OF EARLY MODERN UNDERSTANDING was just published by Hampton Press. His book "FOR US, WHAT MUSIC?" ON THE LIFE AND POETRY OF DONALD JUSTICE will be published later this year by University of Iowa Press. He teaches at Lewis & Clark College.
Archived at http://www.girlswithinsurance.com/index.php/poetry/42-poetry/139-jh-0210-client and shortlinked at http://frsh.in/6x
