I Have Been Tasked with Letting You Know

(a collaboration with Todd Colby)

 

Which world are you staining? It appears blurry.
In your frenzy to avoid kitsch, you've rendered us

all as broncos in a western painting with an orange

sunset advertising a dude ranch.  Someday I'll make it

out west.  I meant to be one of those wandering anti-

heroes, Harry Dean Stanton in Paris, Texas, but even that 

plan didn't take into account the enormous sum

for the film stock used to document my movements. From now
on it's one of those self-help books that instructs you to notice

your life, five items at a time.  Item one:  A toddler

strapped in the backseat wants to sit in the driveway
listening to an acoustic version of "Save a Prayer"
by Duran Duran, but halfway through begins scrabbling 

at the seat belt yelling, "Get out!" And just like that
a well of emotions is unleashed, diminished only by

a buttery shoulder rub and some sweet meats.