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      October 21, 2014Speaking in CodeChristine Rhein

      For fun and to try to mix this up a little, you two might develop a verbal or visual cue that is more subtle than simply asking for sex. For instance, when one of you mentions Vice President Richard Cheney, that’s your code.
      —Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune

      Imagine the possibilities! I could whisper
      Rush Limbaugh in your ear and, if it happens
      to sound good to you, you could counter
      with a breathy Ralph Nader, and go on
      to, well, the Better Business Bureau,
      nudging us toward Liberty Mutual
      and Full Fire Insurance. Of course,
      we might want to try something more
      scientific, like perhaps Mr. Gizmo
      or Miss Motion Engineer, a sigh
      of reciprocating oscillation. I guess
      we could go a bit wild too, daring to speak
      aardvark or walrus, the kinky tangles
      of kudzu or cabbage. We could even practice
      our French, Soupe du jour, oh là là!
      or Italian, Pronto! There’ll be no asking
      for sugar, honey, what’s cookin’? in this house.
      None of that old hocus pocus, hokey
      pokey, hula hula for us. I mean, why dance
      around on tiptoe when we can Do the
      funky gibbon! The resurrection shuffle!
      The tikkabilla jive! And seriously,
      since it’s only you and me here,
      we might as well scream a little
      climate change, stressing the need
      for renewable energy or, at least, See me
      turn off the TV. We shouldn’t waste time,
      dear, wishing to ignite something new
      when there are so many hot buttons
      already at hand. I say, what the hell—
      Let’s build a bridge to tomorrow! Or to Finland!
      Because it seems anything is better than oh,
      nothing. Not worth the candle. Don’t be silly.

      from #43 - Spring 2014

      Christine Rhein

      “My background as an auto engineer seems to play a part in my writing. Each poem presents a puzzle, with its components and features needing to fit and operate together just so in order to give the reader the best possible ride down the page. Of course, tinkering with poems is boundless, while cars come with constraints. When I write, I want a ride that’s not safe, smooth, or even steerable, but rather one that’s full of unexpected lunges, turns, and spins.”