Three by Four

by Kat Hornstein, Joe Favini, T. Kane Stanton, and Tom Wickersham

i-
Better late than never
She looked like she could sell watches in the Sears catalog
Few knew he, 'ere I slew me
skinny ties, patent leather. world war II.
Hold them high, Henry! Don't give her a Chance
I ate the cherry. Indict me if you like.
Defend the devil with wistfulness, maneuver-once
it's an aesthetic? no, it's a typewriter.

ii-
Am I pale? No, I can't be.
I will not negotiate with a ruddy cookie terrorist. ever.
Ruddy milk mustache, ashen silken lashes
Fine. alright. I'm confident mine's better anyway.
For Christ's sake, am I ruddy or not?
Let's just put it this way my dear friend:
Ere I felt spacy, the day I offended Bill Macy's...complexion
I used to be seaworthy. Thought I still was, but I guess you all beg to differ.

iii-
Enjoy the cookies, you backstabbing fucks.
His tongue's a little itchy, but i swear he's a helluvaguy.
Discounted moon stairs? They got robbed.
I know karate I know kung-fu I know Margaret Atwood too.
You're welcome for the drinks too--shit-birds.
Baby, you know I'm not his keeper. Now come back to bed.
I'll be Abel this time.
Everything is a weird thing for you. I think we had sound.
Barrel chested Sampson ran out of good scotch hours ago
I was a man without a seatbelt. I reeked of squandered wit.
A spiral malt jungle busting into a Columbus skyline
For God's sake, at least be patriotic when you drink.
I feel forgotten, neglected, au gratin.