I sat next to a **** fox at the
bar
It was a stumble really--I didn't
see her and barely made it onto the
stool
But she scooted to the left and brushed
my right arm
I glanced and said,
"Hi."
She smiled and asked how I was doing.
I responded with,
"What are you drinking?"
She giggled and said she was sipping on
a *** and coke

I got the bartender's attention and told him,
"*** and coke"

He brought it back and sat it between
the two of us--
     I threw him six bucks.

She drained her drink and reached for the
*** and coke.
--I slipped in quicker and grabbed the glass;
gulped it

The fox looked confused

I smirked,
     stood up,
          and walked out.

*****
something pernicious
that has lasted

when we talk
when we listen
when we laugh
    and cry
when we forget it all
     and repeat

when we stop reading
we write only when
          something wrong occurs

when we write
we start reading when
          something mirthful occurs

we compliment the dead
     and the suicidal
     --the suicidees

we are something, public
that has lasted
     this long

when we steal
and not even replace it
     with a helpful, joyful smile
          of appreciation

when we yell
and the children cry
because their pain is only emotional
     because they need to feel a harsh
          beating

when we lie
because it's just a bit more
     simpler
          than explaining the entire story

when we pawn off
    the pawns

and when
     the cats refuse to get close enough
to be pet

the public
is something

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