Johnny's Curse

"May the fleas of 1000 camels invade
your armpits" said Johnny Carson once
to his sidekick Ed McMahon
what a great quote to remember
now and then
and send it to deserving persons
like the dean of this law school
who lied to me yesterday
and lied to herself
and lay in the bed of deception on
a mat filled with fleas, each one a myth,
a distortion, a gossipy tale, distrust,
fear, a manipulation and a struggle
for power and control
which she'll never get against
the powerful men who run this place
yes indeed, may the fleas of 1000
camels invade her deserving armpits.

Chicago, March 2000