When we die, poetry is buried next to us in the coffin. I If poetry was dead, would these words come more freely? If life was so much harder than it ever was before Would not poetry be more alive than ever? …

generational pessimism, the state of big cities, and reverse brain drain is going to result in a much different looking America, very soon. 20-Something Ways to Say ‘Pessimism’ Twenty years from now, what will America look like? Will we still be burning? Will we be inching back toward utopia? …

Another damn day of work. Great Danes usher in The congregation Looming Over white widowers No shadow cast Sending Garth and Frank off to lunch Eating Four tiny burgers French fries A coke. Long groan. Stretch to a Rise, pay their dues, Shoo them Flies as they drive West on 40 jamming…

Charity is relative. I learned that over at the Shell station. I was driving east On I 70 And heard on NPR That Jeff Bezos had given 2 billion dollars To charity So I Googled his Net worth (this was back When you Could get away With holding your Phone in your hand While driving In Indiana) And I found out that the Chief of all The Amazon Is worth 180 Billion dollars, So…

*not. disclaimer: strictly 5–7–5s. I. Blue Sunday breeze blows Touching the back of my neck Or is that your breath? II. The trash men are gone Left all these mattress boxes Guess we’ll just burn ‘em. III. Darn college students Bad pastels boat shoes gym shorts Where ya keep yer boats? IV. It’s Indian-uh Complaining about bugs, roads Indy 500 V. Uber still makin’ bank? Mask-makers up, Tik Tok down? Everybody smile.