Wicked Tall

“he’s wicked tall”

if you were born and raised around here
you understand that
it means his height
is worthy of remark
and carries a hint of outlaw
as if such height
would have inspired a Puritan
to sermonize

(the usage isn’t modern, you know
it’s been around for at least 300 years)

“wicked”
the intensifier
much as he is

he amplifies
disasters

you might attract trouble
he ignites it

wicked tall
must make it easier for demons
to find him

lightning rod
for your late night
bar fight
brought back to full flame
from almost quenched embers
simply because he showed up late
heard half the story
and swung
and now you’re sprung
swinging by his side
because

you’re wicked good friends
and just because he’s done something
wicked stupid
doesn’t mean you
walk away

that would make you a wicked douchebag

besides
he’s wicked tall
and it would be impossible to deny
that you saw him in trouble
if you run into him the next day

so
you and your wicked tall friend
get into trouble
and then laugh it off
later

that’s what you do
in this town
in this state
around here
in wickedville
wherever you find trouble
and someone to share it with