Decision Tree

Which pickle to pick

is not fit for childish

deliberations,

especially when pecks

of pickles have picked

this child and that and their

mamas and daddies and

their whole generations.

Of the pickles you're in:

which outs to battle for,

which battles to pack for.

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Michael Jones poetry appears in journals such as Salamander, J Journal, Sugar House, and Beloit Poetry Journal. He has taught since 1990 in Oakland (CA) public schools.