Top-Dollar Dumpster Dive
THE VANDALISM ON THIS BLOCK IS DECORATIVE,
AND THE MEDIUM IS NEURODEGENERATIVE,
AND THE DOG IS BARKING, BITING FOR THE BLOOD THAT IT THIRSTS TO LIVE.
THE MAIL IS FULL OF COUPONS AND THE BILLS THAT ARE DUE
AND A PAYCHECK THAT WAS SPENT BEFORE IT EVER WENT THROUGH.
YOU KNOW THE MONEY’S FOR YOUR MAKER, BUT THE REST IS ADDRESSED TO YOU.
THERE’S A DRUNKARD IN THE SHIP YARD WRECKING THE HULL
AND A POISON IN THE HARBOR THAT’S BEEN KILLING US ALL,
BUT THE FISHERMEN ARE WISHING THAT THEIR DOLLAR’S STILL CLENCHED IN A CLAW.
THE NETS ARE DRAGGING BOTTOM WHERE THE SKELETONS PRAY,
BUT THE CATCH IS MEETING QUOTA STILL EVERY DAY.
WE LET THE FLOW OF THE UNDERTOW BURY ALL THE BODIES AT SEA.
AND WE WALK THIS WORLD WITH THE MOST OBSCURE,
WITH THE DEMAGOGUES OF MILLENIA TURNED,
CUTTING TIES WITH CHAINSAWS AND BUILDING BRIDGES TO BURN.
BUT WE STROLL THESE STREETS WITH OUR HEADS HUNG LOW,
‘CAUSE DISASTER WEARS A FACE WE DON’T CARE TO KNOW.
WE’RE SURE TO SHIELD OUR EYES FROM THIS NUCLEAR GLOW.
AND I BET YOU WISH YOU KNEW
WHAT THE FUCK YOU WERE GONNA DO THIS TIME.
AND I BET YOU WITH YOU THOUGHT
THAT TO SELL MEANT YOU’RE BEING BOUGHT THIS TIME.
BOW YOUR NECK PUT YOUR EYES TO THE SKY.
AT LEAST IT’S STILL A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT.
AND WE WALK THIS WORLD WITH THE MOST OBSCENE,
WITH A POCKET FULL OF MONEY THAT WE CAN’T KEEP CLEAN.
BUT WE STROLL THESE STREETS WITH OUR HEADS HELD PROUD,
WITH OUR FISTS CLENCHED TIGHT AND OUR LUNGS UP LOUD,
TEARING STARS FROM THE MIDNIGHT SKY WITH OUR FEET ON THE GROUND.
*****
The Shit of an Angel
THERE’S A SERMON ON THE SIDEWALK FOR THE CATWALK CONGREGATION,
FOR ALL THE INNOCENTS IN EAR SHOT,
SPARKING KEROSENE CONVERSATION.
DID YOUR GOD GIVE YOU YOUR BRAIN TO BIBLE-FRY?
DID HE GIVE YOU YOUR LEGS TO RUN FOR YOUR LIFE?
DID YOUR GOD GIVE YOU YOUR EYES TO WANDER BLIND?
TO CLOSE THEM TIGHT?
WELL, NO. NOT MINE.
‘CAUSE THIS TORTOISE AIN’T RACING THESE HARES TO HELL.
WE’LL TAKE SANCTUARY AT A CHEAP MOTEL.
WE’LL STAY SLOW AND STEADY AND EVERY BIT READY TO FIGHT YOU FOR OUR LIVES.
SO WE WALK WITH THE GODLESS, DANCE WITH THE HEARTLESS,
FLIRT WITH THE SKEEZ, THE DISEASED AND THE CHARMLESS.
WE’RE JUST DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FEEL ALIVE.
YOU’VE GOT BARRELS OF INK BUT NOTHING TO SAY.
YOU’VE GOT CROSSES ON YOUR CHEST BUT NO DEBTS TO PAY,
‘CAUSE YOU’VE BEEN THROUGH THE RINGER, SHOOK HANDS WITH A THING YOU CALL DESTINY.
WITH STEEL TRAPS, IRON LUNGS AND A HEART OF GOLD YOU’LL BE GROWING WISE WHILE WE’RE GETTING OLD.
HEAD ON THROUGH THE RINGER;
SHAKE HANDS WITH A THING YOU CALL FAITH.
WE’VE GOT BARRELS OF INK AND SERUM TO SPRAY.
WE’VE GOT SWALLOWS ON OUR CHEST BUT STILL DEBTS TO PAY,
‘CAUSE WE’VE BEEN THROUGH THE RINGER, SHOOK HANDS WITH A THING WE CALL DESTINY.
WITH STEEL TRAPS, IRON LUNGS, AND A HEART OF GOLD WE’LL BE GROWING WISE WHILE YOU’RE GETTING OLD.
HEAD ON THROUGH THE RINGER; SHAKE HANDS WITH A THING WE CALL FATE.
WE’RE JUST DOWN IN THE BASEMENT TRYING TO PRETEND IT’S STILL 1776 OR 1977.
IT’S STRANGE HOW YOU FEEL WHEN YOU’RE DYING TO STAY ALIVE.
*****
A Terrible Idea for a Condom Commercial
MY DEAR MOTHER AND FATHER?
NO, THEY NEVER DID BOTHER TO ASK ME IF I HAD ANY INTEREST IN ALL THE WORLD’S BUSINESS BEFORE I WAS EVER CONCEIVED.
I’VE SINCE GONE A BIT HEAVY ON THINKING AND DRINKING AND GROWN A BIT BITTER TOWARD ALL THE WORLD’S TEACHING SELF-RIGHTOUS INDULGENCE AND OVER-ABUNDANCE TO ME.
AND IMPRESSIONABLE MINDS BORN IN DEPRESSIONABLE TIMES MIGHT DESPERATELY NEED THE PHARMACY TO EQUILIBRATE THEIR LIVES.
AND THAT’S A SERIOUS BILL TO FOOT:
TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHAT’S BECOME
A MIND-FUCK TEST FUCKING EVERYONE
FAKING THROUGH WHAT YOU DO IN THE HEAT OF THE NOON-DAY SUN.
WITH AN EARTH TO INHERIT, A WORLD TO PRESERVE,
A RIGHT TO PROTECT AND AN INTEREST TO SERVE,
OUR HOURS WERE SPOKEN AND FRONTED FOR LONG BEFORE BIRTH.
WELL, I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I WAS NEVER THAT GUY
WHO WOULD ENVY THE FETUSES STANDING IN LINE
WHILE PRO-LIFE PROTESTERS WERE WASTING THEIR EFFORTS
ADORNING THE CORNERS WITH SIGNS.
BUT NOW THE MADNESS AND SADNESS IN STATUS REPORTING
IS MAKING ME HATEFUL AND SPITEFUL AND BORING.
THIS LOATHING INSIDE ME IS ANTAGONIZING.
IT’S MAKING THE LOVE AND THIS FEEL LIKE IT’S REAL.
AND IMPRESSIONABLE MINDS BORN IN DEPRESSIONABLE TIMES
NOW DESPERATELY NEED THE PHARMACY TO EQUILIBRATE THEIR LIVES.
AND IN A DAY AND AN AGE WHERE THE WAR’S ALL THE RAGE
AND OUR BORDERS AND ORDERS ARE BARS IN THE CAGE
IT GETS HARD TO AFFORD YOUR PROVIDER’S PREMIUM AND CO-PAY.
AND THAT’S A SERIOUS BILL TO FOOT:
TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHAT’S BECOME A MIND-FUCK TEST FUCKING EVERYONE
FAKING THROUGH WHAT YOU DO IN THE HEAT OF THE NOON-DAY SUN.
WITH A WORLD TO INHERIT, AN EARTH TO PRESERVE,
A LOVE TO PROTECT AND AN INTEREST TO SERVE,
OUR HOURS WERE SPOKEN AND FRONTED FOR LONG BEFORE BIRTH.
AND THE MADNESS AND SADNESS IN STATUS REPORTING IS MAKING ME HATEFUL AND SPITEFUL AND BORING.
THIS LOATHING INSIDE ME IS ANTAGONIZING.
IT’S MAKING THE LOVE IN THIS FEEL LIKE IT’S REAL.
*****
A High-Speed Pursuit on Zambonis & Segways
I HEAR IT’S HARD WORK GETTING LAZY, FAT AND OLD,
BUT I’M SURE YOU WOULDN’T KNOW.
YOU’VE BEEN RUNNING IN PLACE, KICKING DUST IN THE FACE OF YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR FOES.
I KNOW YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY GOES. DON’T YOU?
YOU FEEL THE PILLS AS YOUR HEART EXPLODES,
AND YOU SWALLOW YOUR FEARS AS SEVERED SARCOMERES TEAR FROM YOUR TIRED BONES.
I KNOW IT’S HARD WORK READING EVERY FUCKING WORD
AND HEARING EVERYTHING YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, GLOBAL ECONOMY, LEGISLATURE.
I KNOW YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY GOES. DON’T YOU?
YOU FEEL THE CHILL AS THE DRUM BEAT SLOWS
AND IMAGINE YOURSELF INSIDE EVERYONE ELSE THAT YOU MIGHT EVER KNOW.
I’M A LITTLE TIRED TO PARTICIPATE. I’VE BEEN WORKING EVERY HOUR, EVERY DAY.
ALWAYS THINKING “WHAT TO DO?” AND “WHAT TO SAY?” I THINK I COULD DEFINITELY USE A BREAK.
I’M A LITTLE TIRED TO PARTICIPATE. I’VE BEEN WORKING EVERY MINUTE EVERY DAY.
ALWAYS THINKING “WHAT TO DO?” AND “WHAT TO SAY?” I KNOW I COULD DEFINITELY USE A BREAK.
THESE BROKEN LEGS WON’T TAKE THE ELEVATOR.
THESE DOG TAGS ARE HEAVY, BUT I’LL TAKE THE STAIRS.
THESE LUNGS ARE COLLAPSED, BUT THEY NEED NO RESPIRATOR.
I’D RATHER BE CHOKING AND GASPING FOR AIR. WE’RE IN NEED OF REPAIR. WE’RE IN NEED OF REPAIR.
I’M A LITTLE TIRED TO PARTICIPATE. I’VE BEEN WORKING EVERY MINUTE, EVERY DAY.
ALWAYS THINKING “WHAT TO DO?” AND “WHAT TO SAY?” I THINK I COULD DEFINITELY USE A BREAK.
I’M A LITTLE TIRED TO PARTICIPATE. I’VE BEEN WORKING EVERY SECOND EVERY DAY.
ALWAYS THINKING “WHAT TO DO?” AND “WHAT TO SAY?” I KNOW I COULD DEFINITELY USE A BREAK.
IF I COULD TAKE THE TIME TO MEMORIZE THE CHARACTERS AND STORY LINE,
I’D REINVENT AND REDEFINE YOUR HISTORY AND MINE.
BUT I’VE GOT A LOT GOING ON THESE DAYS, AND I’M HAVING TROUBLE REMEMBERING THINGS.
RETRO AND PROACTIVE DISTRACTION AND INTERFERENCE DO A NUMBER ON BRAIN CHEMISTRY.
*****
Homage to Garbage
WELL, WE’VE BEEN WALKING AND WADING THROUGH A WASTELAND,
TRACKING AND TRAILING INTO QUICKSAND.
WE’VE BEEN RIDING THE WAKE OF THE ROTOR AS THE BLADES TURN OVER AND PROPEL US TOWARD PERFIDIOUS HANDS.
SO WHERE WERE THE ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS, EDUCATORS AS WE BEGAN OUR DESCENT ON BROKEN ELEVATORS?
WHAT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION? WHAT WAS IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION?
WHAT WAS THE RESEARCH THAT WAS UNDER DISCUSSION?
AND WHERE WERE THE COPS, REVOLUTIONARIES, MILITARIES, LAWMAKERS WHILE WE WERE HOME MENDING WOUNDS WITH OUR SALT SHAKERS?
WHO WERE THEY SERVING, PROTECTING?
WHOSE WERE THE RIGHTS THEY’RE RESPECTING?
IS THIS A FUTURE OR A FACE WE’RE ELECTING? WHO KNOWS? I’M NOT SURE THAT I DON’T.
I’VE HAD TO SIT AND SIFT THROUGH EVERY ASSHOLE’S SHIT, AND THIS IS WHAT I PROPOSE.
WELL, IT SEEMS SOME OF OUR BEST MINDS ARE WORKING ON NOTHING MORE THAN THE PERPETUAL PROMOTION OF PERPETUAL WAR.
AND THE RIGHTS THEY’RE PROTECTING AND THE LAWS THEY ENFORCE WERE NEVER FOR OR BY THE PEOPLE WHOSE ALLEGIANCE IS SWORN.
WELL, WE DON’T NEED THEIR GARBAGE, AND WE DON’T NEED THEIR GUNS.
WE NEED THE WATER AND THE SOIL AND THE LIGHT OF THE SUN.
WE NEED A LITTLE INSPIRATION AND A WHOLE LOT OF FUN,
‘CAUSE THESE FLOORS ARE MADE FOR DANCING, BUT THESE BOOTS ARE FOR BLOOD.
SO WHERE ARE THE ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS, EDUCATORS AS WE BEGIN OUR ASCENT UPON THE ESCALATORS?
WE’VE GOT POSITIONS AND STACKS OF SUBMISSIONS SIGNED.
NOW ARE THERE ANY TAKERS?
AND WHERE ARE THE COPS, REVOLUTIONARIES, MILITARIES, LAWMAKERS? WE’D HATE TO HAVE TO LABEL PATRIOTS AS DEAL BREAKERS,
BUT WE’RE ASSEMBLING AN HONORABLE ORDER AND CAN’T AFFORD ANY FAKERS.
AND YOU CAN BET THAT WE WON’T.
*****
Dear Barack Obama, Please Recite the Following with Conviction & Enthusiasm
I’M WORKING HARD NOT TO HEAR ANY EVIL
AND I’M DOING WELL TO SEE EVERY SIGN
AND I’M TRYING NOT TO SPEAK IN A TONGUE THAT I LEARNED
FROM THE CORSET THAT THE RAILROAD TIED
BUT I’M AS FASHIONABLE IN THIS SUIT AND TIE
AS THE WARDROBE DEPARTMENT THAT DRESSES THE LIES
THE CHANGE IN OUR POCKETS
THE DIRTIEST THING IN OUR LIVES
SO, ANYBODY, ANY MONEY ON IT ALL STAYING SADLY THE SAME?
I NEED A SINGLE FINGER TO PULL THIS HAIR TRIGGER
AND ONE MORE TO POINT THE BLAME
BUT I’M MORE INCLINED TO AMEND THE DESIGN
OF ALL THAT FALL’S SHORT OR’S HOPELESS TO PROVIDE
A VALUE OF TRUTH IN A PROMISE OF BETTER DAYS
WE DON’T NEED A FEDERATION IN THE FUTURE, PAST OR PRESENT TENSE
WE NEED RENEWAL OF RELIANCE ON OUR CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
RACK INDECISION’S BRAND AS IT TAKES SAD STANDS ON A STRATTLE FENCE
WE DON’T NEED THE DISSOLUTION OF A SYSTEM THAT’S BEEN FUCKED FROM THE START
WE’LL SEE IT SWALLOWED IN THE OCEAN OF ITS OWN DARK HEART
AND AS FISHERS OF MEN WITH OUR HOOKS AND OUR HANDS
WE WILL FEED THEM AGAIN A LA CARTE
YOU KNOW I’VE SAID IT BEFORE
THAT THE ISNESS AND OUGHTNESS
OF THAT WHICH CONFRONTS US IN ONLY
A RELATIVE MEASURE OF WHAT IS DEVINE AND INSIDE US
LET’S NOT LET IT HIDE OR ABIDE BY
THE WICKED INTENTIONS OF THOSE THAT WE KNOW
WHETHER HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT OR LURKING IN SHADOWS
OUR REJECTION EXTENDS TO THE PALMS OF OUR HANDS
AND THE CANNONS WHERE OUR CHOICES WILL ECHO
WE DON’T NEED A FEDERATION IN THE FUTURE, PAST OR PRESENT TENSE
WE NEED RENEWAL OF RELIANCE ON OUR CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
RACK INDECISION’S BRAND AS IT TAKES WEAK STANDS ON A STRATTLE FENCE
WE DON’T NEED THE DISSOLUTION OF A SYSTEM THAT’S BEEN FUCKED FROM THE START
WE’LL SEE IT SWALLOWED IN THE OCEAN OF ITS OWN DARK HEART
AND AS FISHERS OF MEN WITH OUR HOOKS IN OUR HANDS
WE WILL FEED THEM AGAIN A LA CARTE
I’D BE BETTER OFF BURIED, THIS HEAD IN THE STAND
BUT I’D STICK MY NECK OUT FOR MY BETTER OF FRIENDS
AND THERE’S NO BETTER PLACE THAN THE STOCKS BUT THE CHOPPING BLOCKS
WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING TO SEVER A LIMB
SO I WILL IMPART ALL THE WISDOM I’VE GOT (BOUGHT?)
WHETHER I’VE BEEN INVITED TO SHARE IT OR NOT
WITH A VALUE AS TRUE AS THE VIEW FROM THE TREE TOPS
