Windows | Steven Ihde

(cover photograph direction: Ene Ochayi)

when the windows open, as lashes part

round and round turns the washing machine,

dusty dreams rinsed away from memory.

flickering on lens as dust interferes

focus loses signal, muscles reset

and ache pulses at edges of socket,

this morning messenger strides to temple

seeking an audience with controller

who registers each request in order,

orders to each worker or factory,

to increase production, break is over,

all is full steam ahead, and sleepyheads

are not tolerated, are brushed aside,

cobwebs plaguing eyes unacceptable,

orders are given, fingers must respond,

“Be gentle, seek not to scrape cornea,

pull back eyelid, dab at interlopers,”

that viscous thickening needs persuading,

all the ducts must get in a row today,

a strike is not to be tolerated,

these occupiers must leave labour line,

such protesters will only bring remorse,

and I will not be able to write verse.

Steven Ihde 

began publishing in 1967: having written and illustrated one panel comics, a comic strip, monthly magazines, as well as appearing in a college magazine and a humorous newspaper, and editing a 200 patron circulation paper that published monthly for one year. He published poetry, art catalogs, children’s story books, wordless children’s books, an artist biography, several art calendars, and some short stories. He authored several art design and education related articles, and regularly writes on LinkedIn.com. His books may be found at amazon.com.