An Amaryllis Man

An Amaryllis Man

by Anne Hicks

he’s an acerbic man
of many layers

an onion peeled
to the barest

bulb but rooted
in rings

mischief
baked inside

a crisp crackling skin
a hint of sage

the comedian uncovers
our tenderest tendrils

baring blemishes
he cultivates satire

breaks our crusts
then plows us under

with a laugh

–refers from the word roots in Beth Cagle Burt’s poem Midlife Cactus