Drawing Attention

Who draws

those lines

at crime scenes?

The ones

with awkward strokes,

that trace

the final pose

of dear-departed

folks.

* * *

That job

must take

some training,

perhaps

a day-long class;

and then the test,

an outline,

done well,

but very fast.

* * *

Like when

we made those turkeys,

with crayons

deftly traced:

each finger

was a feather;

the thumb,

a bird-brained face.

* * *

da Vinci or Bellini

could never do

that work.

They’d likely add

flared nostrils,

beady eyes,

and other

quirks.

* * *

They’d try hard

to embellish

the scene

with artsy flare—

their outlines

stealing notice

from the victims

resting there.

* * *

I’d like

to make

those markings,

the angles

all askew,

of Bobs & Neds,

Eugenes & Teds,

But never one of you.