poem of the day 03.12.13

man outside the funeral home

the man

outside the funeral home

is slouched against graffiti

and bird-shit walls

trying to light a cigarette with shaking hands

tear-streaked

and bending at the knees

he is

inundated with family

and friends

and cups of water to calm his nerves

keeps shaking his head

no

no

no

while us gawkers on the street

are thankful

that his misery is not ours

for the moment

decide amongst our ignorant selves

to stop whining about

hangovers

and bills

and itchy assholes

our imperfect love

shut our mouths

drink our paper coffee

and

move on