Doing Laundry in North Africa
The seagulls
have their own notions of clean
marking flight
across Mogador
undies and stout socks
quick dry travel pants
cotton tees
dangling from rooftop lines
targets
spared only
by a flapping bombardier
or stern Atlantic wind
In a Pinch
Dummied on the rocks
honkers mallards
pitch-challenged Canadian emigres
Let anyone rifle a pocket
a brown lunch bag
and they’re off
snap into the manmade pond
knee deep on soggy days
center island
wrought iron retainer
faun milling
and penned peacocks
petting hours posted
Never have I crossed South Street
greased boots
sandaled
adamantly barefoot
without tipping them off
Park ducks are suckers for store bought
They do mottled rye n’est-ce pas
bits of tinned whatever
week-old grits
fridge saved forget-me-nots
or churlish discards
Aspiring purists
they fall in a pinch
for any savory largess
In addition to That hum to go by (Mammoth books), Jeff Schiff is the author of Mixed Diction, Burro Heart, The Rats of Patzcuaro, The Homily of Infinitude, and Anywhere in this Country. His work has appeared in more than a hundred and thirty publications worldwide. He is currently serving as the interim dean of the school of graduate studies at Columbia College Chicago.
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