C-words

John G. Young

Say one fifty

Hail Marys

or as many

affirmations,

watch a little TV,

maybe take pills

to dull the pain

or calm the nerves,

turn the pointer

from deep unrest,

stranger

to body’s grace--

Black Pussy*

fails to outrage,

and Virgin Birth

fails to deliver,

as we go

beginning to end,

missing the middle--

meow

*sculpture by Jason Rhoads