hard world, possible bridge

I ain't gonna go, no
I ain't gonna go
I ain't gonna go outside
and if you should ever go
where those other people go
I'll say I told you so
when you run back to hide

hard world

it's a hard world
it's dog eat dog out there
it's a hard world
and you'd better best beware
of everything you'll ever see
and all you've ever known
it's a hard world
maybe you should stay at home

look around you
turn on the morning news
what surrounds you?
you're looking dazed and confused
by everything you've ever known
and all that's still to see
it's a hard world
stay inside with me

A high voter turnout!

So didja hear? Oregon voted to legalize recreational marijuana! It's about fuckin' time, you know? 

That's great news, farmboy. And you're right -- it's about time.

I bet it passed because there was a high voter turnout! I see Oregon's just going to pot! I didn't see that on TV, though -- I had to weed about it in the news!

Very punny, farmboy.

I don't hear any laughter, man. Hey, what's that sound -- crickets? It's dead in this room. Tough crowd…

shake the etch-o-sketch

I need to clear my mind
wipe the slate
wash it clean
scrape the static
off the screen
make a new mistake
throw a monkey wrench
I need to shake the etch-o-sketch

alcoholism for dummies

so what you're telling me is
the only source of joy I have
is what I must give up
forever
in order to keep living
is that what you're saying?

don't ask for much
do you?

I ain't running no marathons here

Man, I tell you, I've been so fuckin' depressed about my truck and money and all sorts of stuff.  Pisses me off.

I bet.

I mean, I don't even want to talk about what's going on. But let's just say that it's all related to money and transportation and not anything like, say, physical or major emotional problems.

Well, that's good, farmboy. I get concerned about your physical and emotional health sometimes.

I just got test results back from my doctor and…not to brag…

Which, of course, means that you're going to brag…

Of course.

So what about the test results?

I'm doing fuckin' great! Well, great for me, that is. I ain't running no marathons here. Anyway, everything is within its correct range. Cholesterol, blood sugar, prostate, blood pressure, those triglyceride things -- those are all good. I've even lost weight. Fourteen pounds. 

That's great, farmboy! You should be proud of yourself.

You know, I kinda am. But mostly I just feel incredibly grateful, you know?

scribbling

all of this writing
all this expressing myself
all these sacrifices
for my creative health
every verbal scribble
every step with which I'm moving
all I can really hope
is that my scribbling is improving