[Knowing No One Is Watching]

Knowing no one is watching
doesn't prevent me pretending
that someone is watching

That no one is watching
after watching me scream Look at Me!
means I have been judged trained and broken

I buy the devices
spend hundreds a month
on my surveillance
knowing no one is watching

*

Have I made my troll apoplectic yet
today I was asked, I was asked
what's a carrot steak (at a pun

gone wanting), I said $25
a poker hand, $15 blackjack
I tell myself the Xth time

my ink voice isn't empty
but dried. Wait, he got the jokes
he says, my digital New Zealand
acquaintance who might be a bot.

Compliance Wins

First draft second draft last draft next draft...

*

*

Let me start by claiming seared or scalded, walking my aged
ignominy, nothing bores I don't remember dog, my hips worse
me more than arguing any of two week's than hers, I'll
apprehension. ago's images remember every town had duckpin
gah and gah is gone, I'm close bowling, baseball available only by radio.
to shutting down, landlord a calf tattoo Ernie Harwell's
landlord me or me myself. considered then no. died, my youth rest in unease.

See there re: the quiet here. Be back. Or not.

MY FATAL FLAW


My fatal flaw is I don't sand my keystone.
My fatal flaw is I don't sand my keystone.
I don't want to be king.
I don't want to be king, I resent
I resent not being king.
not being king. I'm happiest
I'm happiest when surlily
surlily scolding the king
scolding the king from my pinhole.
from my balcony. My fatal flaw
My fatal flaw: I'm smart enough to know
is smart enough to know my percentile.
my percentile, I could be an asshole,
I could be an asshole, have fewer
have fewer, better scars.
deeper scars. My fatal flaw cheats,
My fatal flaw competes, disqualifies itself.
disqualifies itself while in the lead.
My fatal flaw expects congratulations.
My fatal flaw expects congratulations
My fatal flaw counts syllables
for being disqualified. My fatal flaw
regardless. My fatal flaw would smoke
won't do what I want it to because I want it to
if offered. My fatal flaw is fluent
when offered. My fatal flaw can't read
in insignificance: stoppered, what isn't?
its own handwriting. My fatal flaw
My fatal flaw is I don't want to be king
believes its ark should make it king.
but since I can't be king I'm a shitty prince.