"There's Nothing Like a Near-Death Experience to Really Wake You Up in the Morning," "The Painter's Lament," and "Blind to the Fact"

There's Nothing Like a Near-Death Experience to Really Wake You Up in the Morning

faulty wiring leading to a 
shocker in the shower stall

hungover falling down a flight of stairs, landing
at the feet of the building manager

The Painter's Lament

yellow came and told me
paint a dog, find a corner
bodega, steal me some
of them Swisher Sweets, while
red gave me the finger, called
911, kicked me in the shins
and snitched to blue that
I missed curfew, slept in, 
and burned the eggs as
the deflated moon, along
with all the victims of the world
whistled in chorus, Ode to Joy

Blind to the Fact

I must be
blind to the fact that
I’m mimicking my youth.

my girl used to say,
Don't ever shave!

now I’m vanquished from one-night stands.

all that’s left 
are memories of
the purses I dipped into,
the empty kegs,
the long walk home,
and always some damn cat 
underfoot and 
furious
at my doorstep.