Bio
Robert Priest, is the author of fourteen books of poetry, 3 plays, 4
novels, lots of musical CDS, and one hit song. His words have been
debated in the legislature, posted in the Transit system, quoted in the
Farmer's Almanac, and sung on Sesame street. His book: Reading
the Bible Backwards peaked at number two on the Canadian poetry
charts. He is the winner of the People's Poetry Award and The
Moonbeam Award for Children's Poetry. "He is certainly one of the
most imaginatively inventive poets in the country." – the Pacific Rim Review of Books
His website: robertpriest.org
Robert Priest
Chimp with Organ
A chimp with organ stands atop a tank
And winds the music backwards with a crank
Back to the barrel the old ink is sluiced
Restoring aging pages blank and white.
Uncross those tees, de-loop those useless loops
This law that law this universal right
Unravel flags, unthread the rebel tongue
As ranks in solemn unison recede
Their legs lift straight from hip to toe as one
As if to say they have no need of knees
Drag back those haughty girls who stride to school
Undo the suppositions of their birth
Unbind the land restore the ore to corporate rule
Let hunger up out of the barren earth
A chimp with organ stands atop a tank
And winds the music backwards with a crank