The One Who Got Away

Moving right along the brain says to the fingers

though the fingers have no idea where they are headed

but as always the blood pumps them up and down

and the white and red blood cells are tyrants

causing oxidation or cancer or whatever the hell they conspire to

create right under your thin skin

and she’s still there

the one that got away.

But what a ridiculous expression

when she never would have come back even if you had
caught her

no one gets away.

They leave.

Do you get that, Narrator?

People don’t escape unless they’re hostages.

People leave or people stay.

That’s it.

Only lucky hostages get away

So don’t let this whole poem be about the one that got away

cause that means you’re a terrorist

and she’s a victim and we’re all better than that

and let’s get back to the writing and stop being so self indulgent.

Drama Homework

I majored in staring

seriously

I studied Drama

as much as Drama studied me

and the professors homework for us

was to “watch people

study them

act like them.”

So I sat and stared and got good at being creepy

and when asked if I had done my homework I would answer:

“Sure, I watched a lot of people yesterday.

I saw a guy argue with a sandwich

it changed my life.”

Now perspective proves I’m great at creating drama

especially when drama is not necessary

cause I was a good student

so if you say something don’t be surprised when I fly off the handle

because that’s what I learned

that is the reaction I saw

perhaps in retrospect

I shouldn’t have stared at the maniacs north of Princess Street in Kingston

but that’s where I did my most of my homework

and overreacting at the drop of a hat or a beer bottle

has now been imprinted

and here I am writing my defense

why I was a good student

and a great actor

and a terrible date.

God Spins the Roulette Wheel

If God played favorites

why do I live next to a poor Jew and and poor Hindu

me being raised a middle class Catholic now living in a poor Toronto neighborhood?

Does God set up shop like the lottery

and you at least gotta buy a ticket

to get in on the prize?

I bet God is bigger than that

or God bets I’m better than that believing that

either way here we are

wondering where we are

I’m still poor

and God is still wondering when I’ll become Him

so he can become me.