the hyphen is a tool
for word-making, word-play
a creator's wand for naming
new words out of old words

absent-minded bear's-ear
chicken-livered devil-may-care
ewe-necked fancy-free

an ecology of wording
like a patchwork quilt
gerry-rigged hybrid
diversity-in-unity

go-devil heart-free
ill-advised jack-in-the-box
know-it-all loose-jointed

two-in-one-three-in-one
a chain of words
linked lines
a train of words

make-believe narrow-minded
one-track pick-me-up
quick-witted red-hot

parallel lines pushing
without beginning end
against the walls
a rapture of rupture

self-pollinated tear-jerker
up-and-coming vice-consul
wait-a-bit X-ray

a liminal space where
we dance god-like
in our naming more words
always insatiable for more

yo-heave-ho Zend-Avesta