—Jesus, that bastard has everyone in his pocket.

We all stared, somewhat shocked and mostly disgusted.

I am exceeded / by a leaf

Translation’s not required—music/ sings itself complete and comprehensible

He stops smiling and only says he loves me when prompted, as if asking me to pass the salt for his inner peace as it tastes too bland.

You’ll say you should have known. You’ll blame my music.

Always in a hurry/to spoil your/weekend

“Now,” my friend said. “Tell us about earthquakes. Can we expect one anytime soon?”

In ashen hills of yonder

I remember one time when we played strip poker in the basement of your house on Euclid Avenue, me, Terry, you and Andy. And I remember drinking lots of wine and fixing the deck so that you kept losing and having to take off all your clothes, and still you

"I am lying on my back and am confused."

I said hey man, how you doin’? He looked up and nodded but his shades flashed and I couldn’t see his eyes.

I have a ninety two percent rejection rate.

(the hourglass has not gone digital, oh no,/but these days, silicon is in with the sand)

After my mother died, my father shipped me to my uncle's. He hadn't told me she was dying, so he could just mourn alone.Lena lived next door, Italian, my age -- which was ten -- beautiful. She was watched by goons in black suits. Her parents owned a restaurant. Across the…