Replacement: The Tucker Carlson Variations

 I

Tucker Carlson sold his heart

During a boring meeting in New York

Distant are the days when He would watch goldfinches

In the 1970s La Jolla sun

Before he became “Tucker Carlson” on TV

II

He seeks a replacement

For his heart But for now only has The chittering laugh

Of a creature reeling yellow-eyed Beneath a bad moon

III

Or Tucker's heart was lost slowly

Fading away reducing

Something vicious said for a dime

Something cruel ok'd in his mind

Always another ladder to climb Or cracked bell to chime

IV

Tucker Carlson stays

One step ahead of something

He doesn't know quite what

Nothing a glib quip A droll look

Cannot solve

He thinks

V

Or Tucker Carlson's heart

Suddenly vanished poof!

This can't be real he thought

Hearts don't

Just disappear

He thought