375 and 376

We cast the perfect mold, according to

the measurements that we had thus been shown,

and all the people bought it, and we knew

our artistry had been correctly sown.

So thence we sold it everywhere—why not?

It worked so well for those whom we’d supplied.

And wondered why our sales thereafter dropped

when into many markets we applied.

We cast anew, adjusted and re-set,

we made the textures and the substance fresh,

but no expression that we gave to it

would make our masks less awkward than our flesh.

But, better wear a mask that you can doff

than wear your face and have to take it off.

~~~

A great hike we prepared to venture on,

and readied every thing that we might need.

Our shoes and camelbacks and caps we donned

and chose the one of us who’d take the lead.

But I ensured, as all the others stepped,

that even more was sure before I left.

My start, for preparation’s sake, was kept,

and so I was both much and less-so deft.

And once I knew each piece of pack was set,

I took my step upon the dusty roads

that all the others had already met,

with less-inspected, suitable payloads.

So they saw sunrises and sweet sunsets,

while I held back because of fruitless frets.