"I hate Chicago and its stupid art"

finding soft corners in a very big room

Be quiet!

Infinite youth

Come, drunks and drug-takers; come perverts unnerved!

Receive the laurel, given, though late, on merit; to whom

and wherever deserved.

Parochial punks, trimmers, nice people, joiners true-blue,

Get the hell out of the way of the laurel. It is deathless

And it isn't for you.

-Louise Bogan

Words & the Cage Complex

I listen to the old recitation, circling

like breath:

I will not do it I will not do it I will not do it

Things I Like Doing Late at Night Especially:

Cooking

Alphabetizing things

Playing cards

Going through other peoples' pockets

Listening to the Olivia Tremor Control's ambient work

Writing

Watching classic American films

Sitting at the kitchen table

Remembering why I loved them all

Making coffee (it feels illegal)

Looking people in the eye

Going to the post office

Whistling outside

Slipping out the back

Running tally:

-We are junkies and only kiss once

-I'm constantly falling in love with people on public transportation

-I like compliments that expect nothing

-The best of which was, you have a cute snore

-Sunburns are reminders

-In class, I leave paper cranes for the next person

-If it were only me and the ironing board, I'd lay myself out to dry

-When I was little, I was good at swearing

-Now I am only good at arcade tetris and taking shots