Lochlanina Tobey
   Honorable Mention 2007 Poetry Contest

 Politica del Carciofo
        “Politics of the Artichoke”

It is a delicate operation
Best done with your fingers
In every pie
The doctrinal equivalent
Of the edible thistle

The buttered handshakes
Steamed smiles
Soft pulp obtained
Through denched teeth
Words over words
Over words
Suggestions and pendulums
The clockwork party lines
Layered in hues of greens
And purples
 
Seasoned with salt water
Peeled back
One by one
Like waves
Or layers of an onion
Like a cause
For tears