when we trace the fear
backwards
we come upon treasure
that was lost
like the canary in the coal mine.

I am not cool,
and that is cool.

hummus is cool,
and it loves people
more than I do.

The laughing shadowy girl
who stood at midnight
by the flowering tree
is cool.

I stand in a city of glass,
dying so deep
near the message river,
uncool.

The only true currency
in this bankrupt world
is what you share with someone else
when you're uncool.