MICHAEL THEROUX
I don’t know who I am but I’m not worried
I find it re-assuring being such an amalgam
I’d be concerned to honestly recognize me
I met my wife in 1749 although
we couldn’t spend time together then
she held in that castle and I a rogue
The French lineage played wine merchant
to the rowdy Scots into the Clearances
we all became Canadians
My grandfather was a Lawrence
the Kansas town Quantrill’s Raiders
Acadian and Otto becoming Cajun
Annee Ya hai,kee,toh
I Otto-Seminole sing before the Fires
from the warm memories of my lives
I’ve always wondered
what I would say given the chance
addressing a Council of Elders
so I’ve written this memory
standing before the Fires to come
facing those I may never know
I don’t know who or what I am
but what brought me to Now
must be Divine Comedy
for the red nose and floppy shoes
of my broken and curious path
signify a Clown Warrior.
The oldest of you who watch
from behind the cooling embers
may recognize this meandering Soul
one who has been here before surely
even if for now I don’t know me
One more step on an ancient journey
Michael is entering the literary publication field in his seventh decade, following careers of field botanist, environmental health specialist, green energy developer and resource recovery web site editor. He’s shifting from decades of publishing scientific and technical environmental works, to placing his cache of creative writing - much more satisfying! He has now had 100+ poems, short stories and sketches published in the past three years. Some may be found in Cerasus, City Key, Wild Word, Ariel Chart, CafeLit, Midsummer Dream House, and elsewhere; his novels, chapbooks and collections will find good homes, with persistence and time.
Author Index: Michael Theroux
Twisted River Review ~ Issue 1: Winter 26/27