hot summer day flaunting its distractions
sings a siren song of temptation
through the open windows of boredom and alone
come out and play!
warble boardwalks beaches bars
in three part harmony
on breezes stirring leaves of memory
the perfume of grilled meat makes mouths water
for the juice of entertainment as dirty martinis
perform a striptease of oblivion accompanied by
the percussive clink of ice and the careless laughter
of the careless
when half the country got too casual too soon
i knew more bodies would fall
into the hungry clutch of the invisible
we strap ourselves in cars without question
because it’s the law but being told to cover your face
to save your life is fascism
millions hold the choice to commit suicide
while potentially sickening family friends
strangers as a godgiven right
and as the days slip silently off the miles of string
between here and who knows
their renegade souls lie heavy on mine
the only true music the rattle and click of dice
echoes in the gambling hall of life and death
where you pays your money and you takes your choice
- on the fourth of july - June 15, 2023