Described here is everywhere this poet’s ever been. She guesses it must be a very uncomfortable thing for human beings just to act right. It’s all she asks for ~ and, as well, what she herself dependably provides.

*****

Recorded Reading (1:13): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nzm9aa6aust608g62nlzc/You-Win.mp3?rlkey=8865tne1badopvutm5oc4ifwj&dl=0

*****

You Win

You win pettiness and strife
Gossipping skullduggery
For remainder of your life —
That is what your pref’rence be

You win humdrum sameness
Between everyone you see
No one looking any diff’rent
Inconven’iently

You win lies, manipulation
Falseness and deceit
You win, guaranteed,
A surfeit of food to eat

You carry the fawning
And obsequious
Flattery of those
Who never dare to make a fuss

Who’ll kiss your knees and sniff your seat
Just like so many wind-up clowns
And then, as you have done to me,
Behind your back they’ll bring you down

You win a same-old, same-old
Meh-constricted day
Every day forever:
Poetry, you sent away

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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