A piece of the sun

Leprechaun Trap
For Emma

So here’s the plan. First, we wait,
for rain, and lure in what always
follows. Waiting is the hardest
part, don’t you think? Once we
have one, we carve off a good
slice being sure to get enough
of each color if the thing’s going
to work. Then we borrow a piece
of the sun from mom’s jewelry box,
say a ring or a broach, .22-carat
minimum, yellow, dazzling, soft.

Next we find a small iron kettle,
one with runic symbols and a handle,
place the gold inside, and hang
the carved arc of ‘bow from a
tree limb directly over it. Then
we hide in the bushes and start
playing a pennywhistle, quietly
at first, then gradually louder.
Then we wait again. Waiting is
the funnest part, don’t you think?

Joseph Gallo
March 15, 2012