On Epigrams

True Epigrams
by mark worden


True epigrams resemble Trojan flies.
--X. J. Kennedy

A True Epigram doesn't sting and die
Like an imaginary Trojan fly.
A True Epigram strikes and stings
And stings.
And stings
Like one a them pesky scorpion things.
Or it digs into your skin like Herpes Zoster.
(Add that, X. J., to your metaphorical roster.)


Shingles: An acute CNS infection
[caused by the varicella-zoster virus] involving primarily
the dorsal root ganglia and characterized by vesicular eruption and neuralgic pain
in the cutaneous area supplied by peripheral sensory nerves arising
in the affected root ganglia. The Merck Manual, 14th ed.