it was THE MARK OF ZORRO with Tyrone Power
in that crisp n fuzzy black n white as only pre-technicolor gave
that pre-digital age when the past was still real
when our we still believed we could touch
them if only
if only the TV could deliver us could deliver
the fragile bodies of our fading fathers
[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
Outside of Murfreesboro at a truck stop. I paid cash for an Apple Danish and an ill-advised ham and turkey sandwich. The woman at the checkout was complaining about the lack of spare change. I told her about the quarter shortage and how no one is spending it, and how a lot of businesses moved to cashless payments. She shook her head and said “Lord yes. It’s true. That’s in the Bible.” She told me to be careful as I left. She was very earnest.
