A shutter and some overalls make tricks of light and shadow dance and sometimes catch the smile behind the squint. But, rarely, can the viewer spy the layers left unfolded, or to clearly know just what the smiling meant.

Busy Chester Bumblebee, Envy of the garden, Flaunts himself for all to see; Begging no one’s pardon. Mornings spent with lovely Rose, Afternoons with Daisy; Ev’nings passed in sweet repose

I began to wonder, “What was I thinking?!”; then I began to think, “What was I wondering?!”; then I dozed off. When I awoke, and read the first lines a few more times, it started to develop a sort of rhythm. Indeed, it seemed a rather obscure rhythm, but it spoke to me. I chose not to listen, and am posting the results, anyway. To wit:

With Apologies to Edgar Allen Poe, Warner Brothers and Mel Blanc I present: The Rooster On a wint'ry weekend morning, heeding my alarm clock's warning, And as my feet reluctantly approached the chilly bedroom floor- All at once there came a ticking, as if boogers one were flicking, Wooden boogers gently clicking, clicking at my chamber door. "Just the cats" I mumbled, "with their claws upon the hardwood door. Just the cats and nothing more."

An absurd bit of rhyming to distract anyone who feels they might be missing something vital. When asked, “If given options, What would be your fondest wish?”

A dog will catch a Frisbee, A cat will catch a mouse, A fish will catch its death, unless You leave it in the house. So run your canine through the park To fetch a flying dish;

Rockette lines of toasters Dance up and down the drapes; Cork, absorbent, coasters Peeling Kournikova’s grapes. Photographs of bison tails Wagging in their frames;

A short bit of nonsense Don't Forget the Crackers A celebration’s incomplete, As table dressing goes;

SUNDAY We’re working on the Sabbath; Just contemplate how odd. We’re pacifying management, While pissing off their god MONDAY He spawned a new persona That’s fond of wearing tights.

My name is Sal Manila, An envelope by trade. Not a life for anyone Who's squeamish or afraid. I've carried plans to Presidents And Generals and Kings.