James Najarian: Kleptomania

Start simply. Thieve small.
And stay on the ball.
Take nothing that matters—
     lost screws, ticket stubs, French fries from platters.

Now steal something better:
a breath or a letter.
Then take someone’s time.
     Practice makes perfect, and the perfect crime.

Then swipe the covers,
(the names of old lovers
will give you some tips).
     Kisses for others you take on the lips.

Loot tongues for secrets—it’s
using your wits,
and occasions abound.
     Astounding what people leave lying around!

Why not go on?
Be a Pro of a Con—
filch a heart for a day.
     as soon as you’re done with it, throw it away—

or keep it for longer.
Your skills will get stronger.
Who’s keeping tabs?
     Everything, everyone, is up for grabs.


© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers. All rights reserved.