“Bly put in a word for me with a few editors and soon I was publishing routinely…” J.R.A

I have no great cause
against his chosen words—
sincerely addressing the meditative
like an old tomcat’s
milk-content purr.
But is this really
how you would go about it—
foregoing meritocracy
in favor of witless patronage?
I prefer the poet
who will claw my face
and give me nothing
at all
except a steel bar
that taunts
and waits
only for my ascension.

Richard King Perkins II is a state-sponsored advocate for residents in long-term care facilities. His work has appeared in hundreds of publications including Poetry Salzburg Review, Bluestem, Sheepshead Review, Sierra Nevada Review, The William and Mary Review, Two Thirds North and The Red Cedar Review. He is a three-time Pushcart nominee and has work forthcoming in Broad River Review, Emrys Journal, December Magazine and The Louisiana Review.