Crazy Eights

by Jenny Morelli

There’s nothing more magnificent

than the number eight, a sign

of infinity, of everything is nothing

but a dizzying loop, a swirling

Image credit: Milo Weiler on Unsplash

mobius strip. Why is the number eight

so magical? Because it means

this infuriating world

is fate’s crazy-eight madness

that will ultimately come

full circle. Like a magic eight ball,

this rock we’re on is in the hands of the universe,

destined to be shaken up and (most likely,

you may rely on it, yes, in due time)

issued a random justice

that will one day (ask again later?)

right the misbalanced scales

and tilt in the favor of (yes, definitely,

it is certain, without a doubt) right

over all the wrong because this town,

this state, this country and planet

is my home, is my origin, and I will not

have it violated eight ways to Sunday

and allow hope to skulk off my porch

with its tail between its legs and its ears

flattened in dreadful disappointment

and utter dismay when the simplest (everyone’s

welcome here) solution will always beat

the monsters and men who spend their days

leering or jeering as they steer

our vessels into an angry, orange-tinged

storm, after which will emerge

the most beautiful rainbow.

***

Jenny Morelli

Jenny Morelli is a high school English teacher who lives in New Jersey with her husband and cat. She is often either inspired by her students or else they're triggering memories in her of when she was young and struggling with her self-confidence. She has been published in a number of literary magazines, including Spare Parts for a novel excerpt, Spillwords for several themed poems, and Bottlecap Press for her own chapbook This is Not a Drill.