straw man

I broke the glass out of the copier
it should be fixed by tomorrow

I was making copies
of the poem the one
with the baby bottle of blood
with the bullet
for a teething ring

I know you know about bullets
we all know
at best they hurt like hell
but it's only pain
you really do get used to it.

I am a straw man for pain
but pain always sets
me up again

when the copier is fixed
instead of the poem with the bullet
I will send you
my love my love

you may knock it over
as you wish
it is resilient
it is patient
it will look for the bullet
but it will settle
for less

mcn / mcl
oly / nyc
3/21/96

---

Jan McLaughlin
NYC