Napoleon Bonies and Others

Does a Skeleton Cast a Shadow?

Yes,
but it isn’t
scared of it.

Can a Skeleton Be a Masochist?

No, it doesn’t
enjoy the luxury
of pain.

Bonaparte, the Skeleton

1. How Do You Spell Napoleon’s Nickname?

Webster says “bony,” but my grandmother remembers,
“If you don’t behave yourself, Boney’ll get you!”
She was born when Boney was still on the rampage.

2. How We Remember Boney

In a cocked hat, with his hand
inside his jacket, grasping
the wire holding his bones together.

3. Young Boney

Bonier in his early campaigns—Italy, Austria;
till, amid the wastage of Russia and Spain,
Boney got fat, and his luck ran out.

4. After St. Helena

Where can Boney put his armies now,
without his sleevies 
of skin?

Bone or Ash (in Dust or Chunks)

In memoriam C.J. Banjoff

You can’t reduce

a skeleton much
by burning it.