/versation, lot dogs, poetry

lot dogs 5

This one’s from a couple of years ago, when I worked parking at Churchill Downs. It’s an odd world to be on the edge of; on the edge because when your primary function is to be both seen and unseen. When you’re dealing with a subculture that has its own hierarchy, its deeply rooted sense of self-importance, a complex delusion that it operates with art and dance and beauty, and an ocean of money in its black heart that is the true rhythm it runs to… you either know your place, learn your place, or you don’t stay in the place.

I worked with people, some who were so in love with the “tradition” of horse racing that they were completely blind to the fact that a junkie in an expensive suit is still a junkie. The rest of us kept our heads down.


the clouds tempestuous  the sun teasing 
bob-n-weaving like one more
past prime boxer // autumnal clouds paint
the light divine fractured one o' them
oil paintings it just breaks the heart
to try catch a sorry photo
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2021, everyday words, lot dogs, Ohio River Valley Literature, poetry

no. 25

[lot dog refrain]

these monsters, silly dragging themselves sluglike tell themselves they lumber

these monsters with novelty Dracula teeth
garbage bag capes Bela Lugosi laughs

at such baby monsters their airs their cries
they think are roars

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2021, lot dogs, Ohio River Valley Literature, poetry

no. 8

Vicious Sid, saint set loose
in the unkind south do please do pray

they do not yet see hear hear
they will not let themselves know

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