Peter and the Wolf and You

Never play Peter and the Wolf
on the harmonica.

It will only serve to attract
the attention of your

neighbors, and the wolf.
If it sounds so beautiful,

if the melody seduces you,
completely

past the point
of temptation, please

at least, invest
in a kettledrum

first, set it
pounding

then keep it
by your door.

The last guy
who tried it

played himself clear
into the clearing.

The harmonica is still there
but, he and his duck

don’t come home
anymore.

–July 12, 2017