it’s almost time for me to go to the office,
to see my smiling, sober, successful boss,
do some work for him and keep him from
knowing that his assistant (me)
is this morning ever so somewhat intoxicated
(stoned) and contemplating how it is my life
has turned out to be not quite the life i wanted
(Copyright 2023 by Tetman Callis.)
skinny junkies drag their squalling children
by their wrists through parking lots at discount chains.
rusting junkers’ ancient engines idle in the artificial light.
skinny junkies in hip-hugging pants
entice odd bookish lads who ought to be at home.
tattooed hate boys wearing women-beaters
rule the restless night, scrapping over scraps.
cops cruise whores who cruise for copless corners
where they can stand and give a wave and whistle.
skinny junkies smack their crying brats
and scream unheeded screams.
rusting junkers pull away in cloudy blue-white rumbles.
(Copyright 2023 by Tetman Callis.)
“Using words to lie destroys language. Using words to cover up lies, however subtly, destroys language. Validating incomprehensible drivel with polite reaction also destroys language. This isn’t merely a question of the prestige of the writing art or the credibility of the journalistic trade: it is about the basic survival of the public sphere.” – Masha Gessen, “The Autocrat’s Language”