Michael Riedell
Rich with Sticks
He was rich with sticks.
He had a baseball bat and an army gun
and a wand and a marching band baton.
He had a sword and a wizard's staff
and spears and javelins and chopsticks
and boomerangs that never quite returned.
He had a stick he waved like a symphony conductor
and a stick he held like a fishing pole
and one was a barbell he conquered of enormous weight,
but none of them helped him
if he got home late.
Bio
Michael Riedell is a teacher, poet, and songwriter living in northern California. The author of three books, his work can be found in journals including Blue Unicorn, Canary, Clutch, I-70 Review, The Heron's Nest, and Right Hand Pointing. He has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and was a Best of the Net finalist for 2024.