THIEF

by Michael Keshigian

Two days ago the sun caught me stealing light

to illuminate a poem, demanded restitution,

then reported me to Mother Nature

who posted my likeness about the land.

Soon, the ocean, forest, birds, flowers, et. al.

filed suit for substantial abuse

and complacent philandering without permission.

I pleaded guilty;

admitted taking breath from wind for deliverance,

marshmallows from the sky to sweeten song,

and rage from the ocean to instill a sense of urgency.

Convicted and confined to a windowless room,

no writing, visitation or glimpses of stolen sights,

I was sentenced to imagine beauty

without embezzlement

and the wholesale exploitation of words.

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