Words for a Friend
So you doubt
that the high school girl
who sulkily took
your order at the drive-
through window
actually wants you
to have a nice day.
Maybe if you told her
how things look
in the emaciated light
of late middle age.
But until then
you might as well try
to smooth out the writing
on the crumpled balls
of paper scattered
about the world.
Or did you expect more
than the consolation
of theoretical happiness?
For Chrissakes, Matt,
don’t you know
we’re like the junk cars
the fire department
uses to practice rescues?
Howard Good is a journalism professor at SUNY New Paltz. He has recently had a new chapbook Heartland (2007) published by FootHills Publishing. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2006.