David Huddle: Box of Rocks

Exactly what kind of rocks are in that box

our buffoon of a leader is allegedly

dumber than, because certain mineral

deposits–say those that contain fossils

of prehistoric forms of life, e.g.,

trilobites, dinosaur jawbones, ancient

lice–offer greatly valued intelligence

to scholars, so that if we’re comparing

our national ignoramus to these elite

stones, we’re praising someone whose foul soul

requires unceasing education, as certain

prisoners are sentenced to spend their days

learning how little rocks become happier

than big rocks with the help of a sledgehammer.

David Huddle’s ninth poetry collection, My Surly Heart, will appear from LSU Press later this year.

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