THE AUTEUR

The auteur can't stop
feeding his aching fever
and thirst for blueberries
popcorn and gum drops
as his amateur premier film
on Chopin
opens behind the curtain
and he watches it
practically from his knees
on the edge of his seat
at the front of the balcony
as the stage lights are out
yet we lift our critical eyes
on the first snow flakes
covering the fir trees
near our green and red hedges
a poet plays a poet's jazz riffs
by the river beds
as a few children awaken
to deliver Christmas gifts.