Sam’s Teeth - Patrick Culliton

from "Hornet Homily"

I signed the treaty with fish hooks,
sided with the risen knuckle, hung
a bouquet of raccoon skulls over the door,
made a rattle out of Uncle Sam’s teeth

and an aspirin bottle. Of his mistresses,
I am most fair. I coat his bass drum
with Vaseline and ash. I name the stars
on his neck after yet-to-be-declared battles.