photo: Rochelle Ratner
click for larger image

NEW, IMPROVED

by David Radavich
 

Fake me.
Let me be plastic,
bottled, recyclable.

Give me a new
face, a body aerobic,
my own best
weight.

Another persona
entirely, costume elastic
and neon and gun
in the eyes
laughing silly.
Mind in a flashing
sacred chest.

America, I love you.
Nothing we manufacture
is less than ourselves.

BRAND NAME

by David Radavich
 

Safe in a thing: take aim.
Be that thing, not
yourself.

Put on a label,
a price-tag.

Then sell yourself,
blood and all, in a stall

Some imaginary
market

Where buyers
all wear costumes

Armor

Pick over your skin
with their calloused fingers

Longing to
carry you home,

Throw you away.


It was fun,
though, buying.

Land-fill knows
you’re unique.