Why I Love the Double “L” in “Cancelled”           Emily Hampton

The ecstasy, liberation —
I love double Ls to begin with, and English
is so limiting, restrictive.
I have to be satisfied with bells,
ballets, and mallards, content with gullible mullets
and silly villains. Tricksters resist the elegant L:
travelers, labels, balance. Dirty teases.

I love the L — the sensual, lazy,
languishing touches of the tongue. I love the magic spell
of a good “millenium,” the wistfulness of a windowsill.
“Cancelled,” you are my hero. Linger late, curl in my mouth,
you are beautiful.