poetry circa 2006

you bum a smoke

and sip on listerine

quite the oxymoron, i might add

but you've always been the type

for unusual relaxations

like smoothing the permanent

curve of your brow

one that makes you look, well,

a lot more clever than

you really are.

but you say "hey, it's okay baby

i've got ebony hair

and eyes to match.

and since when has wit

been the prize possession?"

and i say, it's wit that brings

you the prize of my game.