Flat Tire

In the auto repair shop waiting room 
local tv talk show hosts sit on love seats
practicing cream puff journalism

The closed caption is way out of sync
but the special guest is in the pink

She’s talking about emotional awareness
triggers, techniques, and feeling wheels

Let’s find your color on the chart
Ron Burgundy

She says emotions are universal
everybody has some

recognize and accept yours
but know they are fleeting

learn how to ride ‘em out
identify what’s bugging you
and try to feel pretty

Is this a children's show 
for adults?

Validate your needs
don’t stuff ‘em in a box

and don’t go away while we break 
for commercial

windows, doors, and laminate floors
boner pills, neuropathy cures, liposuction
carnival cruises, dental implants

and now we’re back
with depression strategies
anxiety attacks
and more happy talk about
how to cuddle your heart

Wow, thanks for that!

I had no idea I was so out of touch

And now I’m suddenly aware
of the woman with a tired face

she looks deflated 
like she might need a puppy

or a chocolate chip cookie
or a brand new life

And there’s a stack of old magazines
on the coffee table

but the newspaper is fresh

dirt about fraud, politics
culture wars
trade wars
drug wars
real wars
artificial stupidity
unbelievable lies
and government sleaze 

It’s almost overwhelming

Maybe I’m dreaming

I don’t know what color to feel
in this new dark age

Something’s sadly out of whack

My emotional wheel is flat

Excuse me sir, your car is ready.



In The Department Of Galactic Efficiency

It was a champagne night

so we poured the moon into a flute
until the stars began to fizz

We were locked in

There was no outer space
in our hearts

Every kiss was efficient

Not a drop of love was wasted

in the government of us.