1700 9 1
|
The television volume softens in the shadows.
|
17002714
|
At some point, my lottery number/
was in the mid 300s. I was safe/
for whatever reason. No need/
to burn my draft card.
|
170087
|
|
1700106
|
Rarely is Quay Street so clean,
Monday in rain,
Neactain’s ticking over with
Slow jazz and crosswords,
Stout and steaming anoraks.
|
169965
|
You may think you've tasted envy, but yours was just a sour sip of wine at a civilized wine-tasting. Mine is bottom-shelf, well-brand gin in a biker bar with miss-the-urinal piss stains on the floor.
|
1699168
|
Her clothing style varies from grunge to glamor and . . . she always looks good.
|
169930
|
“Listen, Mother – you’re my ticket out of this burg and I’m not about to cash it in!”
|
169900
|
When you have lived with pain so long, you grow old and the old man inside of you takes over. That’s just the way it is.
|
169952
|
The past operates with incredible gravity. Powerful, efficient, deceptive. Thin, sleek cords sent out by it attach themselves to your back, your legs, your buttocks, the back of your head. Resist. Walk. One leg after another. Easy does it, like a baby. Do
|
16991211
|
I walked to work back then...
|
169974
|
You're a good dog, she whispered to him, a good brave dog. Her face was tight with soap.
|
16991513
|
San Bruno avenue, six shops in eight blocks. Those Vietnamese ladies thrive on the pedicure trade.
|
169911
|
so I tighten hands with my castaway and say/you failed to impress in your folded peacock dress
|
169976
|
Uh oh, the dry cleaning ticket
|
169833
|
Her whole life was lived between high tide and low tide, moments of giggling grandeur and moments of sheer emptiness.
|
16982010
|
Practice has perfected disengagement.
|
169800
|
He took off his sombrero and playfully placed it on my head. “And really, don’t be upset. You’re fine. There’s nothing wrong with loving your cat.”
He was right, there is nothing wrong with loving your cat. But there is something wrong with owning a di
|
1698127
|
The fish would need a name, but she didn’t know how to tell if it was a boy or a girl. Did fish have penises?
|
169855
|
What does she have / that I don’t have / that I can’t buy / for myself?
|
1698167
|
|
169823
|
BABY MOUSE She and the baby squeeze into the neon blue star-studded rocket ship in front of K-Mart, a tight fit because the baby's still inside her and the ship is made for under ten year olds and the steering wheel dents her stomach and the baby backs up and…
|
1698155
|
"when I say bag, what I mean to say is…"
|
169865
|
|
169810
|
It's difficult to remember, much less write down, the hard times you thought were unforgettable when you have a full stomach. It's hard to remember that dirty little room you rented in that house, from a Bosnian landlord, on 27th avenue and Missouri. The…
|
1698114
|
My spooky cat got out again. Under the deck she ran. Out came the hose that chased her about. Fur spiked, tail pointing, yowling, she hissed at me, and back in the house she pranced. It's been two days now. She slithers out for food after…
|
169867
|
I start with a morsel of truth, then hide it with lies...
|
169810
|
Sophie hoped that Ryan would just stay in the bathroom and never come out. Her stomach turned just thinking about him, but wealthy nerds were easier to work than wealthy regular guys. No self-esteem, no experience with women…no problem.
|
16971415
|
The place is buzzing with little women, all clad in black smocks.
|
169700
|
oh, sure i’m still running around like a heads-up/off/prophet/profit/fit trying to cut off my very own de/(con)instruction and all other sordid a•void•able & available/a-Babel towers of post &toastmodern doom/daze
|
1697106
|
Blending in at a rock concert in ballet flats was harder than I thought it would be. The heavy eye makeup and lit cigarette I never brought to my lips put me somewhere between “Trying Too Hard” and “Bless Her Heart.”
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