The Witch

Maddy, I met up with that evil woman who
wanted you dead for no good reason. I
went to that same coffee shop because I
know writers are creatures of habit.
She stood out like a sore thumb,
papers all around her, looking
strung out with way too much on
her mind at once. I walked right up
and said, "Are you the one who wants
Queen Maddy dead?" She looked
perplexed. "Queen Maddy," she said,
"is that the fake roach pretending to be
a poet?" Maddy, I must tell you,
I did set her straight. Things didn't
quite come to blows but almost.
Believe it or not, I thought of you
and realized I needed to remain
lady like at all costs. I told her the truth,
that you're my friend and all, and
proceeded to leave; I could hear her
laughing so I went back. "Let me see
your work," I demanded. She looked
worried then started shuffling through
her papers. "Here's one," she said,
handing it to me. I was amazed to find
it was a rhyming poem, something I
actually know quite a bit about. I'm
sure you could have guessed it was
just terrible. "You could use some
lessons from Maddy," I said. "She's
a free-verse poet, but she can still
write circles around you. Live and
learn," I said, jotting down your
web-site address for her. I'm sure
she'll visit and be put to shame.
Maybe I should go back and
make friends, then you can
pull another Trojan Horse on her.
Let me know if you're game.

(2007)