In 762, poet Li Po kisses the reflection of the moon beside his boat,
falls overboard and drowns.
falls overboard and drowns.
I like men and moons.
His head, an old chandelier, going dark.
His head, an old chandelier, going dark.
In 1911, Distiller Jack Daniel kicks his safe: can’t remember the combination.
Dies from blood poisoning from his infected toe.
Dies from blood poisoning from his infected toe.
In 1387, Monarch Charles the Bad is wrapped in brandy-soaked bandages
and sewn in. Instead of cutting the end of thread, his servant uses a candle: accidentally burns him alive.
and sewn in. Instead of cutting the end of thread, his servant uses a candle: accidentally burns him alive.
In my heart the fire develops.
I baptize myself in the moat of the castle.
I baptize myself in the moat of the castle.
In 1939, Finnish actress Sirkka Sari mistakes the chimney for a balcony at a cast party.
Falls down chimney into boiler.
Falls down chimney into boiler.
My vision is getting a little sparkly around the edges.
I need to hear a fairy tale so I can feel safe.
I need to hear a fairy tale so I can feel safe.
In 1884, Detective Allan Pinkerton slips and bites his tongue: contracts gangrene.
I can’t find what I’m looking for—
My old-fashioned manners prevent me from shaking his hand.
My old-fashioned manners prevent me from shaking his hand.
In 1410, King Martin the Humane eats an entire goose
while his favorite jester tells a joke. He dies
from indigestion and uncontrollable laughing.
while his favorite jester tells a joke. He dies
from indigestion and uncontrollable laughing.
I can’t stand to be tickled.
I eat the goose’s golden egg sunny side up.
I eat the goose’s golden egg sunny side up.
In 1978, mathematician Kurt Gödel suffers from an obsessive fear of being poisoned: refuses to eat food prepared by anyone other than his wife.
Dies of starvation after his wife is hospitalized for six months.
Dies of starvation after his wife is hospitalized for six months.
I wish I knew why the dogs refused
to eat the palms of Jezebel’s hands.
to eat the palms of Jezebel’s hands.
In 1941, writer Sherwood Anderson swallows a toothpick from his martini at a party. Dies of peritonitis.
In 620 BC, Athenian law-maker Draco is smothered to death by gifts of cloaks showered upon him by appreciative citizens.
Despite a lot of dear little ghosts,
I can’t bear the strain of moving into a haunted house.
I can’t bear the strain of moving into a haunted house.
