Puzzle

Was that you shitposting on twitter, or worse, rolling
out an inspirational meme? Cleave to the sticky path between.
More feeling, less emoticon. Better a bag of lemons than

Febreze. Or stand back. Find some perspective. Go outside, go
swimming, for fuck’s sake. I’m no danger junkie, but a spell
with a mountainside and carabiner would put some vitamin D
in your stride. Wear sunscreen, please. (Also, note Everest mishaps).

Maybe a crossword puzzle is more your speed. Or jigsaw.
Knitting? Death is everywhere. Hobbies are projective, eerie, existential.
In Nagaland, the winner ate fourteen ghost peppers in the chili-eating
contest, then went knock-kneed and glassy-eyed, found fetal

against a wall for the post-game interview. He spoke little English
but managed to convey his state: “Very no.” Props
for essence. Me, I keep one eye open and one eye closed.

—David O’Meara

* This poem will be one of several 14-liners that will appear in Dave’s new book, “Masses on Radar,” being published this fall with Coach House Books.