04-13-2016, 12:48 PM
Heads or tails
I tossed my lucky penny in the air
in a jumbo jet’s upstairs bar
just as we crossed the equator
between Hawaii and Australia;
heads for follow your heart, leave America
tails forget him, stay in California.
I gave a good two-up toss
from my palm held flat at waist level.
My penny, polished so it glistened,
rose, twisting like a gymnast,
paused, seemed to hover
for ever, turning over;
I can still see it
spinning in the air
before the steward
slicker than chameleon tongue
snatched it. Put it
in his pocket and grinned.
That’s how I got it, too.
Now it’s his lucky penny.
I tossed my lucky penny in the air
in a jumbo jet’s upstairs bar
just as we crossed the equator
between Hawaii and Australia;
heads for follow your heart, leave America
tails forget him, stay in California.
I gave a good two-up toss
from my palm held flat at waist level.
My penny, polished so it glistened,
rose, twisting like a gymnast,
paused, seemed to hover
for ever, turning over;
I can still see it
spinning in the air
before the steward
slicker than chameleon tongue
snatched it. Put it
in his pocket and grinned.
That’s how I got it, too.
Now it’s his lucky penny.