TURN CIRCLE GEOMETRY

Today, I walk alone in the Rose Garden carrying
my water canteen & compass,
expecting someone to ask if I’m headed

to the putting green. If only I could stand at attention
on a massive wall of dirt,
watch an eagle fly overhead. I like a place

that’s lit by the sun. I like a place where you can hear
bird colonels talk about maneuvers,
like the difference between angles of bank & angles

of attack & turn circle geometry. Who knew
it could be so complicated?
I see someone who might be a general wipe sweat

from his face. All over the country there are really
great generals. Any one of them
could be me.

Dunes Review
Nominated for a Pushcart Prize 2018