That Siphonophore Apolemia looks like a wall
pulled down from a saloon
to make room for the sea urchin school –
they don’t have recess, but they swim
in algebraic equations.

A scientist told me that.

That Siphonophore Apolemia
shook itself loose from a candelabra in outer space
that no one had time to ship back to Macy’s
and now Santa can’t wrap Rudolph in anything
but a dimestore cheetah coat.

You don’t shuck an ear next to Siphonophore Apolemia
unless you know where the Algae Choir gets their husks.
They dance on ’em. Better than sand.
A cook’s tour guide said that,
but he’s anonymous for now.

Don’t forget to ask for Siphonophore Apolemia
at your ice cream and gadgets counter.
They’ll fill your dish and repress your refrigerator.

Let me have a light from that cig, will ya?
Is that a Siphonphore Apolemia lighter?
Those are keepsakes. [Pockets lighter.]
I have two cousins who married Apolemia’s sisters.
I don’t know what that makes us,
but they’re welcome to my neighbor’s guest room.