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1.
Only a hunchback up to his ears
he shrugged and went on his way
past the graveyard on the corner
and on to the garden
where one singular weed
outgrows all the other flowers.
Kneeling down he pulls with all his might
but the dirt is heavier
than his coat
and so he fills his pockets
as if something heavy
will lighten his load.
Startled by birds
that fly over his head
he sits upright
and breaks in two.
The ghosts of twin warblers
carry him, where else?
To the marsh.
How else? By the ears.
2.
Only a hunchback up to her ears
she shrugs and goes on her way
past the garden on the corner
and into the graveyard
where one voluptuous weed
outblooms all the other flowers.
Kneeling down she pulls with all her might
but the dirt is heavier
and the roots are longer
than the pockets of her coat
and so she cuts the lining
as if creating a hole
will make her grow taller.
Startled by bees
that fly into her hands
she traps what remains
of their babble;
flying away without stinging
she follows them
where else? To the sea.
How else? By flying.