Navel Gazer

By Lee Carlson

In the year of ’06

a census was undertaken

by a budding scientist

not quite two

which was not about oranges

or ocean adventures

but a survey

uncovering belly buttons.

She first whipped up

her own shirt,

displaying a plump tummy

with a dot in the middle.

With mischievous grin

the exploration went on

baring five family buttons

’til all were verified

with some “inies”

other “outies”

a few “halfies”

and one herniated.

Soon the tests ended

and playing dollies was in

yet everyone present knew

more experiments would ensue.

– Lee Carlson lives in Lawrence.