Readymades (Dance of the Unhatched Chickens)
Scherzo
by Christian Hunt


                        it 
could have happened in
Belk’s, Penney’s, Macy’s, Kohl’s even,
but this time it was
                        Sears
right there, next to the 
readymades.
                        it
happened as usual
                        unexpected
but with signs,
signs I never could follow.

first
a pang;- a hunger
that spirals, expands
       dilates, dizzies
then
a shock;- electric 
paralysis, eyes roll
back.


                         so
right there, next to the 
readymades
I fell in a heap of convulsions,
            not quivering,
as if the giddy laughter had
broken the surface and
            danced, still,
on my body.
                          I
was chaotic there
among the racked suits
hung according to size
respectively - at
Sears form is rigid --
                         but 
my bowels broke loose
right there, next to the 
readymades.

I writhed and frothed
and the girl behind the 
counter                       twitched:
sympathetic vibration
unsympathetic.

and spectators gathered 
for the spectacle,
the carnival
my body.

a taste of hide, yes,
to press back 
my tongue, to clamp my jaw
                          open: a
            Genuine Leather
            Tri-Fold Wallet, this
            Supple Leather Wallet
            has enough slots to hold your
                        credit cards
                        membership cards and 
                        photo license.

            and family photos 
                                    fit
            too!: right next to the tri-fold triumverate.

            when all else fails,
            (pleading, embarrasment, disappointment)
            in calming an unruly body
            bite down on leather
                                  credit cards
                                  membership cards and 
                                  licenses
                                  and family,

because that’s what they try to feed you 
when you’re not 
                                    a readymade.