Betty Kaplan, US and Max Verhart, NL

 

 

A Three Forked Rengay   Great Balls of Fire   I. Finger Drumming   finger drumming great balls of fire on his lunch box /mv     as the mime juggles applause from the onlookers /bk     after sale chat the jeweler's white gloves left on the counter /mv     poker faces— now who has the best hand /bk     she points at my life line then slowly shakes her head /mv     batter up! catcher signals the pitcher and the game begins . . . /bk     II. Cherries Flambé   finger drumming great balls of fire on his lunch box /mv     recess, a line forms . . . waiting for chili dogs /bk     shopping mall a clown juggling four torches and an orange /mv     all-you-can-eat Chinese smorgasbord Szechwan hot! /bk     the baker's assistant takes the loafs out of the oven /mv     a toast to the host as she lights the brandy . . . cherries flambé /bk     III. Chirping Crickets   finger drumming great balls of fire on his lunch box /mv     in the old photo album dance recital in tap shoes /bk     silvery morning the distant hammering of a woodpecker /mv     hail storm— rat-a-tat-tat on my window pane /bk     the slashing rhythm of the flag in the wind /mv     awakened by the chirping crickets calling their mates /bk     Read Additional Poems by Betty Kaplan and Max Verhart   A Series of Haigay—Making Sense