Words to Live By

Chalk it up.

Not enough thought for talk.

Another gem for my splendid collection.

One more round of platitudes

for my life at that table over there-

we can drink those empty calories

until we are simple enough

to sing pointless songs

and smile without a reason.

It’s hard enough to find one mantra to live by.

One championed cause to tout

standards high and dizzy like sun-fumes,

banners bright and burning like polluted lakes.

In the temple of my sins

I throw

these pretty stones at cut-glass windows

hurl curses at my captors,

I ignore the open door.