Posturity

[Ray W]

Three plus ten student tumbled in tardy to see Prof. Slouch
mumble coherently fumbling plastic thumbs on a class couch,
pocketed one-by-one as we opened books and notes
and waited like X-mas gifts as he sniffed elbows on raincoats.

Fifty jumping-jacks, apples juggled in socks, rocket-farts,
an eraser kiss, lightbulb fixed and finally! he starts.
We learned how to slowly close covers and pages, cap pens,
pick wet and dry noses, internatural self-offense

and, as others catnapped he carefully wrapped invisible shoes
with licorice laces licked smooth before hiccupping core truth:
standing or sitting you can look like you're shitting, like so--
bend at the waist as if lugging suitcases--and never let go.