—Poems and Photos by Michael Marrotti, Pittsburgh, PA
RECIPROCAL DAMAGES
I expressed myself
through violence
when words
ceased to be
Left a mark
that would fade
in time
but left a lasting
impression
I discovered regret
in a jail cell
showed remorse
through restitution
It cost me
more than I
could afford
There's a price
to pay for teaching
assholes the rules
of proper etiquette
DEAD TO ME
When I said
the words
you're
dead
to me
I meant it
It's not my fault
you kept living
reaching back
reaching forward
reaching for
something
that is no longer
available
An abstraction
two different
directions
There's not enough
watts in this bulb
to shine on this
gloomy situation
Not enough rationale
for the unreasonable
events before me
Patience is a virtue
I've never possessed
right now
I'm being passive
passing the life
that's behind me
RELUCTANT PACIFISM
The mutual
combat law
has ruined
my life
An aggravated
assault charge
along with two
counts of
disarming an
officer hasn't
been much
help either
The award for
angriest poet
is rightfully mine
with one hand
balled up in a fist
as the other hand
does all the typing
This is my
viable alternative
This is my form
of reluctant pacifism
I could say
fuck my life
all day long
I could
fantasize
about dishing
out bodily harm
for the rest of
my miserable
existence
but here am I
Using word's
instead of violence
when I'm unjustly
persecuted
for whatever
biased reasons
the fist is more
alluring
I've faced
the facts
head on
and lost
The system
has prevailed
my fingerprints
are on file and
smeared on
a bottle of
Tylenol
This two-time
loser is disarmed
FIGHT OF MY LIFE
I've
swallowed
thousands
of pills
Fucked the
finest pussy
in Pittsburgh
Talked for hours
to the most
prestigious
shrinks available
Expressed
my contempt
through countless
fist fights
sometimes I won
even though
it feels like
I'll never truly win
I've drank
myself sober
I've fallen
up stairs
DMT worked
like a charm
I smoked
that shit until
I woke up alone
perspiration
my only friend
I've tried over
and over again
no matter what
avenue I travel
regardless of
what company
I keep
Life has
a tendency
to come out
on top
It's a losing battle
I never seem to win
THE FINAL SOLUTION
I have just enough
love in this heart
to make a difference
I have more
than enough hate
to make an impact
You're one of the
few who bring light
into a world of
darkness
You'll get off easy
the others
will just get fucked
If it was up to me
deadbeat dads
would be hung
by their balls
Abusive alcoholic
moms would be
doused in 100 proof
and set to blaze
The children who
grew up to follow
in their dysfunctional
footsteps
would be put up
against the wall
Shots fired
in the name
of salvation
Ignorance kills
emulation only works
in socialist countries
we should be learning
something new
each and every day
for the betterment
of humanity
Label me an extremist
I'll offer you
some adhesive glue
to make sure it sticks
I'm sticking to my guns
Posterity can't afford
another legion
of assholes
No matter where I
travel there's no
avoiding the smell
________________________
Our thanks to Michael Marrotti for bringing us a bit of Pittsburgh today, starting our busy NorCal weekend. Today it’s the Poets on Board celebration at The Imaginarium at 12:30am, then Keynote Poets and Writers tonight at Stellar Studios, 7:30pm. Or head over to Davis for the opening of the Jack Kerouac Poetry Contest and Jazz and Beat Festival at the John Natsoulas Gallery, beginning at 6:30pm. Scroll down to the blue column (under the green column at the right) for info about these and other upcoming readings in our area—and note that more may be added at the last minute.
_______________________
Today’s LittleNip:
Poetry is frosted fire.
—J. Patrick Lewis
______________________
—Medusa
—Anonymous Photo
Celebrate the frosted fire in your life—and
turn it into poetry!!
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