I, TA with my A+ smile & my A+ eyes that shine

as bright as a starry midnight sky, am howling

songs to the tempo of Miles Davis jazz, like all men do —

I, TA Bastard with my 12-hour shift boots laced

high & my cat purring against my face as I cry,

know that I am a loose cannon weaponed, like all men—

I, TA Black Man with my elephantiasis & this

growing need to show everyone what I’m made of,

know the secrets to being a wildly troubled man, like all —

I, TA Citizen with my extraordinary skills & my

ordinary living in this filthy wasteland, will pay the

dues of the upper class, like  — You, TA.

Delmar Daystar