When I sleep my soul God keeps,
                                  but when awake, & something takes
                                   my attention, it’s no longer mine  
                                                   ~ Tiny Montgomery  

Everyone’s trying to steal my attention      
        
            hugger-muggers
            flick-tongue pickpockets
            toothy-smile deceivers  

& use it as a fuse for their hydrogen bomb              

            Ghenghis Khan            
            some guy named Ron            
             even little babies  

grab it, add it to their pile
their 401-k of imagination  

Even if I stuff my fists
in my pants pockets, close my eyes
& bare my teeth like a badger            
                                                        I’m
left
bereft
bothered & bewildered