I had a collapsible elephant
that looked a little like Vladimir Putin
it wasn't anything he said but
just the way he rode a horse without a shirt on
 sometimes you have to overlook the obvious
it's not easy
there are ways to counter
when the white queen
is bearing down
  sometimes, it seems, it isn't best to stand your ground
there's no shame in taking a reminder
 -there are other games to be played-
golf,  for one,
is a good game to be played
or watched on television
while lounging near an ancient temple
or in an airport bar
 you can count cars on the highway
specifically Volkswagen Golfs
in lieu of golf
  you can read books about purple elephants
or Bears that have no name or clothes-
just living in a cave in the middle of winter -
emerging hungry, weak, and pissed off
- the real trick is a casual aside-
try not to annoy the landlady
-she carries the keys-
and isn't above losing your rent check
 see if you can walk all the way to the market backwards
carrying a six pack-
Vladimir could