an old chameleon for you today

from Night of Hobo Dreams - another of them there unsolicited, unpublished manuscripts - comes today's entry. it is a very old poem, originally written in the 1970's i recall, edited a number of times, but it really has managed to stay quite true to the original form & concept.

just a note on the paper mill situation. now contract talks are not scheduled until July, but there is a full two week period both sides have set aside to negotiate. and nothing more on the sale of the paper division ... so the world continues to turn.


CHAMELEON

Hattie unfolded the letter
& put her smile away.

Hattie.
The rains, after all,
they are the key.
Put the locks aside.

Hattie.
i listen for your laughter
along neglected shores,
though i know better.
Curses are everywhere.
Well, yes, it is beautiful
in it's own way.

The laughter of street boys
altered her. Her eyes
grew large & she laughed
as if she understood.

They saw the '63 Fairlaine
at the curb
& the two officers took down the license number
before tapping on the window for questions.
Hattie folded the letter
& put her smile back on.

What seems to be the problem, officer?