humorist & the hungry

Published in 2005 in a literary journal that shall remain unnamed. You know how it goes. You submit to strange publications when you’re hungry.

i can’t laugh anymore but

something tells me

that’s what this world requires

it declines the tit and offers me bones

it’s the humor of the hypnotist

that fools me into

believing i’ve got a bellyful but

when he snaps his fingers

i’m back to square one

i’m not a lazy man, but i’m starving all the same

it’s almost entertaining the first time but

this isn’t something to pass around

the way i see it

our minds have receded

i’ve been told once a man

twice a child

but that’s not as funny as it sounds

i fear the greatest pain

is the fading out

i’m not a lazy man, but i’m starving all the same