by BJ Ward

I say I’m an electrician
trying to connect the wires of the alphabet—

or a non-profit whiskey maker,
distilling to disquiet—
making myself giddy on sounds—
arranging a concert on the page
with a 26-piece band
the world is invited to—

or that Creation sometimes talks to me
and I try to build an ark of ink
that my fellow creatures
might find themselves in—

an admirable admiral animal—

I try to brew it
so that shock of pleasure
floats through it.

© BJ Ward. Both poems found in Jackleg Opera: Collected Poems, 1990 to 2013, IO Poetry Series/North Atlantic Books, 2013.