That place

Do I look dead or rude to you,

who stands morally obliged next to someones boyfriend

named too-drunk but friendly.

industry writes the walls behind and in front

happenstance art not an expression of genius

just something sold three times before this place.

We've made this place a palace for

dead dealers and rude looks.

See how I stand now, in spiral-spine mode,

twisted to talk to a friend three times removed,

and more lonely than someone closer

to the quiet door.

This stance an expression of how I am not

a boy who runs through doorways

because I know doorways are vastly less occupied

than the areas around them,

So you, who looks dead and rude,

look to me to see that a sobbing ex-girlfriend

and quiet beer drinker are the same in this palace

and their expensive rings are made of bottle caps.