Donald nabbed the Wizard’s Hat
and mustered mops and buckets
That deep and rhythmic Mopping Song
became an Anthem Mad and Strong
for Function overcoming Form.

Yet Fear maintains the balance
‘tween They that Rule and we who stoop
enforcing the Myth that Powers exist
governing the Earth & Sea & Sky
          (and you & I … we shan’t ask why

For who so dares to storm the Doors
where Wizards dwell who rule this Hell
shall risk this User-Friendly Form
constructed O! So Carefully
to run the World for you & me

Believe? O, we might as well
But wait!  We’ve bought into a Game
played by rules the Rulers change
and show our hand to no effect
Methinks some Wiz has stacked the deck!

Ah, hell … brave Donald, Grab the Wand!
          (at least ya got the mopping done)

Michael offers that he is entering the literary publication field in his seventh decade, and this qualifies himself as one of those ‘various marginalized identities’. It is disquieting, how often he feels the push-back of ageism. Oh, well - he is happy in his skin. His career has spanned field botanist, environmental health specialist, green energy developer and resource recovery web site editor. He is shifting from the scientific and technical environmental fields to placing my cache of creative writing; He has now had 60 poems and short stories published; his novel and chapbook collections still seek homes. Given persistence and time…