CURTIS RAZNER ON CINDER BLOCKS

Rumors had him talking mathematical theories
with plants of faculty members without tenure.
Students who braved his office hours came out
swearing he had travelled in time the wrong way.

Behind podiums rigged with suggestion boxes
his lecture notes submerged in tubs of vinegar
he spoke on the design of assorted rocket parts
including dog collar then collected the doodles.

Campus security reported a man without a pass
inside the physics laboratory sucking dry fishhooks
wrapped with the leather of worms and watching
two fish creating ripples in a tank of blue wine.

Geiger counters had been set off so they frisked
only to find his pockets empty but having carried
charms. He gave one last lecture while out on 
bail and was last seen crashing his motorcycle.

Inside his office police found a dead money tree,
black typewriter, cesium 137 and leaves on which
the likeness of Washington could be seen. Girls
wore skirts made from flags flown at half mast.