this old coffee shop

It’s all the same, all of it

except it’s all very different

from what I remember

it’s more or less weathered

the wall’s still orange

the bricks are still painted red

the music’s never stopped

it’s still sympathetic

in this old coffee shop

where I once roamed

head over heels

with everyone, though

I know it’s hard to believe

Rosie’s staring back at me

judging as if to say,

welcome back old friend —

now get the hell out of dodge!

Getting there

I

know

they’re right.

I

just

can’t stop.

Not

here,

not now.

hearts

I love

their love

that is not mine

that isn’t meant to be

for anyone else

except their

hearts

rand0m th0ught #117

make up your mind, or don’t

either way, someone out there

is making up theirs, so

best of luck

petty thieves

as my head grows tired

wicked thoughts persist

my handkerchief’s been stolen

by Oliver Twist, such grueling times

though we both know,

more gruel for the youngster

the farther he’ll go,

and what petty crimes

the slip of the tongue

but why dear boy, do you continue to run?

I’ve asked you first, now answer

me? It’s for my health, and body you see,

nobody likes a little cunt

nobody cares for the likes of us

so hand it over, my handkerchief? No

my boy, you’re not a thief,

I knew that then, like I know now

your common and good

as good allows,

what I request, you cannot see

it grows within both you and me

those wicked thoughts, hand them over

my head’s now clear, fine and sober

and promise this, all right you first?

no this is not me at my worst,

so why don’t I? well why don’t you?

it’s yours to keep, yes that will do,

you’re right, perhaps I couldn’t see

the horror that in my defeat

is pure of heart, is yours is mine

both petty thieves in our own time

rand0m th0ught #113

I see what I see

like the number 13

for reasons

known only to me —

got yours?

rand0m th0ught #110

young people

decide the future

older people

control it

nobody really wins,

this much I know

for certain

rand0m th0ught #109

most things I imagine, ultimately get dismissed

by someone very familiar to me,

yet stranger than any fiction I’ve ever written

rand0m th0ught #108

confidence starts with the con,

the rest is easy

brick and mortar baby

how do I put this lightly,

perhaps an anvil will do

oh, but I’m always the coyote

you speedy devil, you

can crush me in an instant

you can split me into two

as I run on air to catch up

you know just what to do,

so tear away the painting

post no bills up on the wall

I’m your brick and mortar baby

we know either way I’ll fall