BUDANOV THE BRAVE

Rumors of his coma and death
are music to his ears,
“like a medal for my efforts,”
says Budanov the Bulldog
sitting beneath a portrait
of the (GUR) owl
choking the (GRU) bat
in its talons.

“Tells me
I’m on the right track,”
he says, surrounded by
a grenade launcher,
landmine, and row of phones,
all ready to go.

The piece of shrapnel
lodged near his heart,
a pair of canaries
and two 16 year-old frogs
confirm his continuing
good health.

He smiles at one
of several plaster owls
looking down at him.
“We have met
the enemy and
he is nowhere.”

July 08, 2023