The Climber

With others’ help and lots of luck,
that proud man reached the top,
and as he triumphed, lightning struck.
Some thought they heard him pop.

Old Grudge: Geriatric Care Wing

She fixes in a half-blind stare
that shadow shuffling off somewhere,
a man she’s wished for years would die—
but now she can’t remember why.


A Straggler at the Final Exam

He skipped your class so much that now
he hasn’t got a clue,
and bites his pen and stares and sniffs
his noisy nasal goo,

and hopes its verbal counterpart
will show he understands—
enough for you to write a D
before you wash your hands.

 
Masterpiece

His unfound final poem’s so small,
they say it makes no sound at all.

Robert West

If you have any comments on these poems, Robert West would be pleased to hear from you.