No. -1

Critique is no less essential to the artist’s soul than water.

It is-

mmmm(I am no artist.)

-a good thing.

~

No. -2

If I could paint, I would immortalize your features

In the sky: gold over blue,

So that everyone could share in my laughter;

For how absurd is it that you-

-in all your perfection.

-exist beside me.

~

No. -3

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

We or I,

All the same die-

-the world won’t end, regardless.

~

No. -4

Peculiarly enough, I don’t think much of love-

-or so I might have said, were I the lying sort.

If such a thing as the soul exists, then surely-

-and verily, I do proclaim: that love is:

Sickness and wealth.

~

No. -5

The words will come.

You need only open your heart to the truth.

~

No. -6

Let freedom ring from the highest mountaintops, but first know:

You are a slave to the machine, stuck:

Consent was never given.

~

No. -7

There is no glory in needlessly fighting battles where one might run.

So calm yourself.

Drink and be merry a few blocks south of the drunk.

~

No. -8

There is a sword in your heart;

Steel or iron, maybe bronze-

-probably rusted,

Assuredly sheathed.

Let it remain there, inert.

Our world has little need of blades.

~

No. -9

In the frozen December air, I taste:

Cold.

~

No. -10

I-

-am

-or was

-and might have been

Alone, once.

But that was-

-now

-then

-and possibly before

I looked inside.