The Chosen One

My Valkyries are joining the party

they bring glitter and poppers

swords and spears

disease and damnation

love and lust

Upon the clouds they ride

dark and demonic

wearing sensible shoes

for they travel far and wide

They choose who lives and dies

in battle

I am surprised by their decision

I am chosen by them

Go about your business, ladies

For I must immortalize you

in all your Wagnerian thunder

I don't have time to fulfill

your requests of me

It would be more exciting

to see you in the clouds

above a fjord that descends

into a deep sea

full of dark monsters

but this is Iowa

at the end of summer

and the only monsters here

are talking about taxes and banking

poverty and riches

snakes and angels

Of course I'm half Norwegian

which is why I am able

to see you in the clouds

before all my neighbors

who peer out of their mobile homes

wondering what is going on

So I add more trumpets and tympani

chorus and cannon

flame and fluster

It's all for you

the women of my dreams

with at least one named Bob

Barry G. Wick