addiction’s embarrassment
spilled out onto the street
it reminded her of kool aid
it reminded me of Billie
and Ella and problem divas
from after-school specials

grace left its gossamer veil
at the gate of heaven/hell
sunny-side up
a tacky note
be back sometime
maybe soon.

we grind out
our teeth and pelvic grins
we respect rakish nature
no nature at all
picking out targets out
of laziness, need, convenience

this manufactured desire
spells out our name
in the buzzing vacancy
that sputtering glow
with shiny rainy streets
like rosy film noir

our identities
remain on plastic cards
in our hasty shed-skin
new reptiles that
search, search–with fresh batteries
exfoliating and carving

fill no voids
that glove that fits
all the wrong fingers
too perfectly tight
a ballet with xylophones
in need of headphones

© Tom Watters  10/21/06