Throwback Thursday Poetry: Thirty More Cans

30 more cans empty and gone
Thirty more cans to help with the loss
30 more cans to put you at rest
Thirty more cans to add to the mess

30 more cans to keep you in shame
Thirty more cans make you take the blame
30 more cans at each day’s end
Thirty more cans won’t help you mend

30 more cans that you suck down
Thirty more cans in which you drown
30 more cans to help you take the pain
but Thirty more cans only push me away

Early poetry from James. From the poetry collection Pariah Bound: The Lonesome Poetry.

Poetry Monday: Bouncer at a Gay Bar

I watched the back gate
Checking IDs
Watching for people
Who drank too much
This guy walked up to me

“So, you’re like
The backdoor bouncer, heh heh”

I stared at him

“Get it? Cuz it’s a gay bar
Backdoor, heh heh”

I stared at him

“Cool, I’m gonna go”
“That’s a good idea”

Another night
Watching the front door
Checking IDs
Watching for drunks
A woman tries to open the door
She knocks on the window

“Are you open”

I make a gesture
For her to pull the door
She looks at a friend

“I don’t think they’re open”

I walk over and push
With one finger on the window
And walk outside

“The handle stays locked
You just have to pull”

“But when you open a door
You turn the handle”

“And you pull”

“Oh, well I guess
I forgot that part”

Some people are stupid
Before the alcohol

From the poetry collection Men Are Garbage.