Un-Ode To Modern Living Part 2

By Rachelle King

I need to walk down an empty street
not feeling the smog’s luke warm breath
down the back of my shirt.
My shoulder blades always cave in towards each other
creating avalanches of crinkled flab
lining my body’s main support beam.
My back hurts enough already.

I need to spend more time focusing on
what’s left to do
and less time focusing on
what’s left of me.
There’s not much in good working condition
but much potential for renovation.

I need to exercise my eyes
with more words
and less images.
I need to create more images
and write less words.

I need to learn to remember
the things that remind me
of fury, confusion, and frustration
instead of writing
fury, confusion, and frustration.

I need to remember to do the laundry
before the workweek begins.
They frown on dirty jeans
and bras that smell like BO.
I need to remember to do the laundry
after the workweek ends.
I frown on dirty energies
and bras that smell like BS.

I need to live in a place
where cops don’t tailgate
to create speeding tickets.
Hawks on empty street corners
waiting in the black to impose
the white paint-stained breadbox
of democracy.

I need to find an open cage
in which to sing.
I probably could never escape
the need to watch life pass me by
through iron bars.
Though, it's nice to fly out sometimes.

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