i wanted to be fancy
so i went to the local liquor store to buy some gin,
but the liquor vendor told me they don’t carry gin
because no one else drinks it
since it is no longer 1924,
to which i had no reply
my cat threw up this morning,
but i didn’t notice it until i stepped into the small pile of regurgitated cat food
staining the carpet and reminding my wife,
yet again,
how we should replace all the carpet in our house with hardwood floors,
but she doesn’t seem to quite understand what a poet’s salary looks like
my hands are shaking
and i haven’t known where i am since the 2nd grade
because that’s the last time a teacher
told me how to get to the cafeteria
in order to get some food,
but now it feels like i’m having to fend for myself,
you know, except with all the amenities of modern day living
to accompany my disillusionment
Fred Aiken Writing 