Matheny

1-15-13
1st

Palatka
Armpit of the State,
Pill Flipper, Slinger of Rock
Player with Fire and the State's Drug Handler;
Smoky, obese, clawing,
Town of Crusty Kneecaps:
They tell me you are petty and I believe them, for I have seen your spray-painted trucks under Wal-mart lights calling the youth
And they tell me you are dieing and I answer: Yes, it is true I have seen the city wounded only to be cut open and wounded again.
And they tell me you are weak and my reply is: On the faces of adults and children I have seen the gaze of dim understanding.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who pity at this town, and I give back with them the pity and say to them:
Come and show me another city with drooped heads sighing so apathetic to be dead and dumb and blind.
Flinging meaningless curses amid the toil of unemployment, here is a wide tepid life set subdued against the big real cities;
Fierce as a dog in the throws of hunger, cunning as a man pitted against the Godhead,
Barefooted,
Spitting,
Crumbling,
Acting,
Breaking, pleading, festering,
Under the smog, dip all in his mouth, laughing with decayed teeth,
Under the terrible burden of ignorance laughing as a fool laughs,
Laughing even as a fighter who has never won a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse, and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the smoky, obese, clawing laughter of the Fool, naked, sweating, proud to be the Armpit, Pill Flipper, Slinger
of Rock, Player with Fire and Drug Handler to the State.