They were a close family of giant otters
in Surinam giving a low growling sound when
they were insecure so they were called the Hummers.
Trace elements had landed near them and they effloresced
in even amounts throughout an even eon and an evening more
fortune as they were in knowing nothing
or peering curiously into unknowable presence
alert to no future living the past as presence
whose elements were traces in their efflorescing being
—Jackson Mac Low, “Giant Otters”
They were a woolen family of rollicking accusers
whose uptight stance as regards the law
was confused by constantly desiring amusement.
Each day after dinner they would take a walk
through the neighborhood, wearing tweed suits
& crossing at the cross-walks, adults first
with the children close behind. We received
their complaints politely, & when we received
a summons for making too much noise
we deceived ourselves into believing we were
in the wrong. In court, we pleaded guilty
& ever after tried to be more law-abiding.