...is it freudian like some say,
or machisma or a philosophical
fear of death--the great equalizer?

are we like preening peacocks,
or head-butting rams
vieing for another's attention?

until you're the only one
to see your hole-in-one
on the par three, seventh hole,
or until you play catch
with Leroy Robert Paige
ol' Satchel hisself,
then the gleam from a shark's tooth
couldn't be any brighter
than your insides at that moment.

mayhaps it's like buckets in the rain
that catch some of the truth,
but none catches all.

09/29/2005