GX1

How to Beat the Devil

Be between 7 and 11.

Slink off trail behind the machine shop.

Crouch in stone-wash denim shorts

behind barrels of rusted turnings.

Rifle socks and pockets for matchbooks.  

Strike a match, pinch it at the far end

between index and thumb nail. Tilt the matchstick.

The flame inclined to climb from the head

up the cardboard, fingerward. Level it out when the flame

hits center—  let the head cool to a crooked black.

Switch hands before it’s too late.

Don’t drop it when skin hisses and rises white.

Tilt it up again. Let fire consume the frayed root.

Hold wizened remains up, pan from side to side.

Look everyone in the eye. Flick what’s blackened

off into the tall grasses and such your thumb.