orphan annie is as alone as you are

dylan says "oh, the times;
they are a changing", and goddamn
was he ever right. the shifts sit on
my doorstep everyday, the deadbolt
that keeps me transfixed and delirious
the deaf mute bold print bludgeons
soundly on the front page.

bailouts for the birds who can no
longer shit on the absent fords on the
street. I could have sworn I was reading
the funnies, but the recall for fat brats
with large spiritual defecits, unafforded,
unpaid, left a bitter taste in my mouth.

but the worst came when I actually
flipped to the first page of the funnies,
orphan annie with soulless eyes,
big empty china white irises,
papa warbucks eating her tomorrows
inside, and she wonders why its always
a day away, even when it's never
there.

those press pimples
ingrained in the paper, like
goosebumps great,
the feeling of a common
gallow grand I can't shake. as
always, I drop today's daily dose.

I think I'll stay inside today.