Pay You

do both of you have your fine arts degrees
in camouflage and kamikazes?
Number A will hide behind
the torpid hedge like gasoline
for back up, I’ll give to you
these loaner razor blade cell phones

PAY YOU WITH FIRE


Number Z, between bugs and rocks
scrambled signals and bits and quarks
and here is some acid to slip in a drink
in case Cesar’s at the gallery
here’s something else
that’ll make him feel covered with feathers and tar

PAY YOU WITH FIRE

circumstances are dire
that’s why we conspire
wear casual attire
you’ll probably perspire
just act surprised
when it all transpires
we’re down to the wire
we’re down to the wire

so go ahead, blend in, there’s hors d’oeuvres and free drinks
there’s red wine and tequila kamikazes
but vasser ich verboten because of the benzene
when opportunity arises, don’t flinch
because if you gave him the chance, he’d assassinate your air
I swear, this will be convenient and easy
when we’re finished, Satan will be ice skating to work for minimum wage
through armor-piercing, I’ll incubate
between the center, which will not hold

let’s be pristine in our element
like hot springs or a cash machine
nobody knows anybody here
we don’t want the media on us like a fungus
but listen, I promise you
the perfect synthesis of function and style

PAY YOU WITH FIRE