Grief Puppet

In the nearby plaza, musicians would often gather.

The eternal flame was fueled by propane tank.

An old man sold chive dumplings from a rolling cart,

while another grilled skewers of paprika beef.

Male turtledoves would puff their breasts, woo-ing, 

and for a few coins, we each bought an hour with 

the grief puppet. It had two eyes, enough teeth, 

a black tangle of something like hair or fur,

a flexible spine that ran the length of your arm.

Flick your wrist, and at the end of long rods

it raised its hands as if conducting the weather.

Tilt the other