The Very Old Man
Her father died yesterday
He lived to be 97 years old
He and I were never
Particularly close
Come to think of it
The only things
We had in common
Were our love
For his daughter
Methamphetamines
And hard liquor
Godspeed Fred
Onto the next adventure
Your work here
Is finished
David Burdett
12/9/2023
Poisoning Pigeons in the Park
The Crypt Keeper
Flagged me down yesterday
On my way to the liquor store
His yellow and green stumps
Impacted with pig iron
And potato chips
His excuses paper thin
His psyche strapped
To the roof of his car
“Can you help me out?”
I tell him
No can-do mister
I’m California clean
And on my way
To the puzzle factory
To donate cerebral fluid
To the less fortunate
“Help you out?”
Alright
Listen closely
Are you listening?
Never trust a man
Who has more excuses
Than teeth
Or love a woman
For fear
Of dying alone
God, I crack me up
David Burdett
12/8/2023
Too Soon?
His brain broke
He’s been gone
About a year
I tell her
Maybe he was abducted
And is chained to a rack
Inside of a freight container
And is being used as a sex slave
On the other end of the phone
You could have cut the silence
With a chainsaw
Hello?
Are you still there?
Click
What?
Too soon?
David Burdett
12/7/2023
Blind Date
You sing
God is everywhere
You stand corrected
God is a highly organized
Serial killer
The elevator stalls
Do you mind if I smoke?
You seem like a nice person
What are your thoughts
On cannibalism?
Can I have your leftovers?
How about a piggyback ride?
I’m tired of living in darkness
Take me home
David Burdett
12/4/2023