gargoyle nails

i have old-man toes with gargoyle nails

that resist cutting by conventional means

toughened by fungus, rumor has it

the left big toe is discolored

and could probably stop a bullet

and i have to use a pliers-like device

that is like a small pair of bolt cutters

and only try for the first eighth-inch across

squeezing with all my mortal strength

till i get a SNAP!!

and then i can wedge the sharp edges in

and finish the job

.

upon reflection, it would make far better sense

if i soaked my toes in bathwater

and achieved hydrated softness–

they’d be a lot easier to cut, right?

.

why have i stupidly not-soaked my toes

for so long??

.

because i wander through my life in a daze

if not a semi-coma

but when i write poetry I am more mindful

.

bath time

long live poetry